President promulgates ordinance to amend anti-terror law

President of Pakistan has promulgated an ordinance to amend Anti-terrorism Act on recommendation of NWFP government that would be implemented on FATA and Malakand as well. Law enforcement agencies are empowered under the ordinance to detain any suspect for 90 days, reported Dunya News on Saturday.Under the amendment ordinance, any court, including Supreme Court and lower courts, cannot approve bail of a culprit that can be sentenced to a minimum of 10 years in prison. The duration of physical remand has been extended to 90 days from 30 days. Banks and financial institutions have been made bound to provide information of its accounts and transactions involved in funding terrorists. Broadcasting or publishing any such material that could be used to praise terrorists or spread hatred among people is declared unlawful and anyone found guilty of this act could be sentenced to six months in prison.