Journalist and primetime host Shahzeb Khanzada has criticised Punjab government’s new anti-terrorism law, questioning whether secret trials under the law can meet constitutional standards for a fair trial.
Speaking on his show on a private media outlet, Khanzada raised concerns over provisions that allow terrorism cases to be classified as “special security cases”, under which the identities of judges, lawyers, prosecutors, investigating officers and witnesses can remain confidential.
“If the accused or their lawyer does not even know the witnesses testifying against them, how will this meet the standards of a fair trial? When even the identity of the judge is unknown, how can a trial be fair,” Khanzada asked.
The Punjab Assembly passed the Punjab Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Bill 2026 on Monday despite strong opposition from lawmakers. The bill creates a separate “special security case” mechanism for terrorism cases that authorities consider to require extraordinary protection.
Under the new mechanism, a designated Grade-20 or equivalent government officer can seek to classify a case under the special security category. The law also allows coded identities for witnesses, keeps the names of judges and lawyers confidential and permits voice alteration during proceedings.
Khanzada also questioned the powers given to the designated officer, pointing out that the law does not clearly identify the department the officer would belong to or specify the qualifications required for the position.
He questioned whether such an officer could make decisions independently of the Punjab government.
“The law does not specify which department this Grade-20 officer will belong to, what their qualifications will be, and who this Grade-20 officer in Punjab will be who might act against the wishes of Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz, or refrain from taking action aligned with her preferences,” he said.
The bill has faced criticism from opposition lawmakers, who argue that the provisions could undermine constitutional right to a fair trial and give the executive excessive authority.
During the Punjab Assembly session, Opposition Leader Moin Riaz Qureshi called the legislation “draconian” and a “bill to crush the citizens of Punjab”. He also alleged that authorities could use the law against political opponents, particularly PTI leaders and workers.
PTI lawmaker Ahmar Rashid Bhatti also warned that concealing the identities and altering the voices of judges, prosecutors, defence lawyers and witnesses could violate Article 10-A of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to a fair trial.
Khanzada also questioned whether the law could eventually be used against political opponents, referring to the past use of anti-terrorism laws in cases involving PTI as well as Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz.
“In the past, anti-terrorism laws were used in political cases against Tehreek-e-Insaf, as well as Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz herself. Will this law not be used for political cases as well? Your government will not last forever. When in opposition, you will suffer from it yourselves, and the country and its people will continue going in these endless cycles,” he said.
