Pakistan’s Punjab allows ‘secret’ terrorism trials: Why it’s controversial

Islamabad, Pakistan — Politicians in Punjab, Pakistan’s most populous province, have passed a law allowing terrorism trials to be held in near-total secrecy, with the judge, prosecutor and witnesses permitted to remain anonymous.Under the law, a person facing the country’s most serious criminal charge could be convicted without learning who heard the case against them, who prosecuted it or who testified.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4What are Pakistan’s controversial constitutional amendments about?list 2 of 4Pakistan passes amendment empowering parliament to pick top judgelist 3 of 4How would Pakistan’s 27th Amendment reshape its military and courts?list 4 of 4Pakistan’s Punjab police kill 900 people in eight months: What’s going on?end of listThe trial record can be sealed, and an appeal could be heard by judges never told who presided over the original trial.The Anti-Terrorism (Punjab Amendment) Bill 2026 passed the Punjab Assembly on August 31, after opposition politicians staged a walkout in protest.Four days earlier, the government had appeared to relent, agreeing to have the bill reviewed by the law department or a parliamentary committee.When it returned to t...