On 13 November, President Asif Ali Zardari approved the 27th Constitutional Amendment, creating a new constitutional court, granting extensive powers to the president, and providing senior military officers and the president with lifetime immunity from criminal prosecution. Opposition leaders boycotted the vote and civil society have criticized the ‘hastily adopted’ amendments, which prevented adequate public consultations. The new Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) will sit above the Supreme Court, transferring judicial appointments from the Judicial Commission to the executive. The government argues that the judicial changes will help alleviate the backlog of cases in the Supreme Court by limiting its role to non-constitutional matters. However, the amendment has faced widespread condemnation, with two Supreme Court judges resigning in protest. 

Sources: Constitutionnet, Chatham House, OHCHR, International Bar Association, DevDiscourse, Daily Pakistan

On 23 October, Pakistan’s federal cabinet banned Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) under the Anti-Terrorism Act, citing its ‘violent and terrorist activities.’ This decision followed deadly clashes in several cities during pro-Gaza protests organized by TLP, which resulted in at least 16 deaths, including policemen, and hundreds of injuries. This marks the second time in four years that TLP has faced a ban. The ban prohibits the party from engaging in political activities, including organizing rallies and protests, and prevents TLP from contesting elections until the ban is lifted. The ban is justified as a measure to protect citizens from TLP’s long history of violent protests, which go beyond ordinary political activism. However, governance experts warn that such a ban undermines democratic principles and may fuel extremism by driving its base underground. It remains to be seen whether the TLP will escalate the matter to the Supreme Court, which holds the authority to further dissolve the party. 

Sources: Pakistan Today, NPR, The News, AL Jazeera

On 13 August, the National Assembly passed the Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Bill, 2024, a federal-level update that empowers authorities to detain terror suspects for up to three months without charges. The bill reinstates provisions of the 2014 legislation, and the government maintains that the amendment is necessary to counter rising threats from militant groups in the country. However, opposition leaders and legal experts have criticized the bill, arguing that it undermines due process and allows for preventative detention. Moreover, rights advocates have raised concerns that this new legislation could be misused to facilitate enforced disappearances, a long-standing issue in Pakistan. President Asif Ali Zardari assented the law on 31 August.

Sources: Dawn, VoicePk.net, Devdiscourse, The Express Tribune

On 31 July, the Faisalabad anti-terrorism court (ATC) sentenced at least 108 Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) members and opposition leaders to prison terms, with most receiving 10 years. The convictions stem from their alleged involvement in the 9 May 2023 protests and attacks on military installations following the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan. While the proceedings were conducted in civilian anti-terrorism courts (as opposed to military tribunals), rights experts and opposition leaders have condemned the trials as politically motivated, citing a lack of due process and transparency. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan criticised the mass sentencing and use of anti-terror laws to try civilians. Political analysts view the development as part of a broader trend to suppress dissent and weaken the opposition. PTI has said it would challenge the verdict. 

Sources: Dawn, ISAS Brief, Euronews, International IDEA