Pakistan has been fighting terrorism for nearly two decades, with insurgent groups including the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), and other extremist organisations. The sacrifices made by Pakistan’s armed forces and intelligence agencies in this war are enormous. Operations such as Radd-ul-Fasaad and Zarb-e-Azb have played critical roles in destroying terrorist networks, resulting in the deaths and arrests of numerous terrorists. Despite these accomplishments, a key defect hampers the effort: Pakistan’s judicial system has loopholes that allow many arrested terrorists to avoid punishment.

While Pakistan’s security forces have fought relentlessly to bring terrorists to prison, an alarming trend has evolved. Many terrorists are arrested and tried in Anti-Terrorism Courts (ATCs), yet many are eventually freed owing to technicalities, inadequate evidence, or procedural delays. After being released from detention, these individuals frequently return to their terrorist organisations, resuming their operations and carrying out other attacks, undermining the military and law enforcement efforts.

Looking at the data reveals the scope of the problem. Between 2020 and 2023, a startling 6,550 terrorists were accused across the country, with just 11% (774) convicted. It further worsened when, of these convictions, just 1.5% (104) had their sentences affirmed on appeal. The remainder were either acquitted or had their convictions reversed, allowing them to rejoin terrorist networks. Furthermore, from 2022 to 2023, there was........

© Eurasia Review