Pakistan opposition to challenge sweeping powers to security forces

The bill declares all peace-disrupting elements as “enemies of the state”, and describes protection of life to be the state's top priority.

The strongest and most potent of the new provisions are the new powers given to security forces to “use force” to prevent a terrorist act.

The security forces can now open fire after forming “reasonable apprehension that death, grievous hurt or destruction of property may be caused by such act”.

The amendment replaces the phrase “when fired upon”.  

Widening the scope of the term “terrorist”, the ordinance brings target killers, extortionists and kidnappers also in the same bracket.