Pak's new anti-terror law makes 'protection of life and property' an official goal

The Pakistan Government has revamped its anti-terrorism legislation, making all peace-disrupting elements 'enemies of the state.'

Under the new legislation, Pakistan has made the protection of the life and property of citizens the primary goal of all state functionaries.

Pakistan Protection Ordinance 2013, promulgated by President Mamnoon Hussain on the advice of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, strengthens the Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Ordinance 2013 introduced less than two weeks ago, the Express Tribune reports.

According to a press release issued by the president's office, the new ordinance deems the security of life, property and dignified the prime goal for all functionaries of state

The country will make all efforts to eliminate any attempt to create disorder in society, adding that every possible state instrument and resource would be deployed for the purpose.

According to the report, the new piece of legislation guarantees all military and civil armed forces the full protection of law to discharge their mission to restore peace in the country within the parameters of Part V of the Constitution, which deals with the relations between the federation and the provinces.

Special jails will also be designated for detaining hardened criminals and the minimum term of the imprisoned has now been set at 10 years.

The new ordinance also introduces measures to deal with refugees and foreign residents involved in terrorism, crime and other anti-state activities, the report added.