Balochistan Assembly passes anti-terrorism amendment bill despite opposition objections

QUETTA: The Balochistan Assembly on Thursday passed the Balochistan Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Bill despite opposition demands that it be sent to the relevant standing committee for detailed scrutiny.

The session was presided over by Speaker Captain (retd) Abdul Khaliq Achakzai. Interior Minister Mir Ziaullah Langau tabled the amendment bill in the House.

Leader of the Opposition Mir Younas Aziz Zehri demanded that the bill be referred to the standing committee so that it could be examined in detail and members given an opportunity to consider its various aspects.

Zehri asked why such haste was being shown in passing the law and said the opposition should be told why the interior minister was in such a hurry.

He said a law of such importance should not be approved immediately without detailed consideration and should instead be sent to the relevant standing committee for comprehensive debate.

However, despite the opposition’s demand, the assembly put the Balochistan Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Bill to a vote and the House approved it.