QUETTA: In a move to bolster the province’s counter-terrorism architecture, senior officials convened a high-level meeting on Thursday to deliberate on the proposed Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Rules 2025. The session, chaired by Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Muhammad Hamza Shafqaat, brought together key stakeholders from the police, Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD), prosecution, law, security agencies, and other related departments.
Held under the auspices of the Home Department, the meeting involved a clause-by-clause review of the draft amendments. Participants discussed various critical points aimed at making the existing anti-terrorism legal framework more robust and effective in the face of modern challenges.
Officials were informed that the core objective of the proposed amendments is to synchronize the legislative process, prosecution mechanisms, intelligence coordination, and operational procedures with contemporary requirements. This alignment is deemed essential to effectively counter evolving terrorism threats in the region.
Addressing the gathering, Additional Chief Secretary Shafqaat emphasized that a strong legal foundation is imperative for sustaining law and order in Balochistan. “Strengthening anti-terrorism laws is a critical need of the hour,” he stated, adding that the proposed rules would represent a significant milestone in this ongoing effort.
During the deliberations, representatives from various departments presented their substantive recommendations. To expedite the process, Shafqaat directed all concerned institutions to submit their written proposals to the Home Department promptly, enabling the draft to be finalized and advanced for constitutional approval.
The participants collectively expressed a firm resolve to enhance the province’s terrorism prevention system through a coordinated strategy, improved legislation, and strengthened inter-departmental cooperation. The meeting marks a proactive step towards refining the legal tools available to security and judicial institutions in Balochistan.
Meanwhile a multi-party alliance, the Tehreek-e-Tahafuz-e-Aain Pakistan (TTAP), has solidified its strategy for the upcoming Quetta local body elections and issued a fiery condemnation of the provincial government, accusing it of systemic failure and electoral manipulation. The decisions were made during a key meeting chaired by Abdul Rahim Ziaratwal at the PkMAP secretariat, attended by leaders from PTI, PkMAP, BNP, and Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen.
The alliance formally decided to contest the December 28 polls jointly, marking a significant unified front. To organize the campaign, it will form joint committees for Town 1 (encompassing Taktu, Chiltan, Zargoon, and Sariab), with five members from each constituent party. A four-member technical committee was also established, with a separate election committee for Quetta to be announced later.
