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AUTHORITY WITHOUT ACCOUNTABILITY THE SEARCH FOR JUSTICE IN PAKISTAN

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06 Pages : 65-74

http://dx.doi.org/10.31703/gpr.2025(X-I).06      10.31703/gpr.2025(X-I).06      Published : Mar 2025

Authority without Accountability: The Search for Justice in Pakistan

Abstract

    This article examines Pakistan’s counter-terrorism laws, focusing on the Actions in Aid of Civil Power Regulation (AACPR), particularly regarding military accountability. As the involvement of FATA and PATA communities in terrorism increased, the military was granted powers to arrest individuals and detain them without trial. A key issue is the indemnity clause in the AACPR, which exempts military personnel from prosecution if actions are taken in "good faith." This provision raises concerns about accountability and the potential for human rights abuses. The article critiques this clause, analyzing its constitutional and international human rights implications. By reviewing case laws and international treaties, it explores how Pakistan’s counter-terrorism laws fail to meet global human rights standards. The article advocates for reforming these laws to ensure better accountability while balancing national security with respect for human rights.

    AACPR, Accountability, Military, Indemnity Clause, Human Rights, Counter-terrorism, Pakistan

    (1) Maryam Shahid
    Researcher/LLM Student, Department of Law, International Islamic University, Islamabad, Pakistan.
    (2) Mehnaz Begum
    Lecturer, Department of Sharia and Law, Islamia College, Peshawar, KP, Pakistan.
    (3) Iftikhar Ahmad Khan
    Assistant Professor, Department of Shariah and Law, Islamia College University, Peshawar, KP, Pakistan.
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Cite this article

APA

CHICAGO

    CHICAGO : Shahid, Maryam, Mehnaz Begum, and Iftikhar Ahmad Khan. 2025. "Authority without Accountability: The Search for Justice in Pakistan." Global Political Review, X (I): 65-74 doi: 10.31703/gpr.2025(X-I).06

HARVARD

    HARVARD : SHAHID, M., BEGUM, M. & KHAN, I. A. 2025. Authority without Accountability: The Search for Justice in Pakistan. Global Political Review, X, 65-74.

MHRA

    MHRA : Shahid, Maryam, Mehnaz Begum, and Iftikhar Ahmad Khan. 2025. "Authority without Accountability: The Search for Justice in Pakistan." Global Political Review, X: 65-74

MLA

    MLA : Shahid, Maryam, Mehnaz Begum, and Iftikhar Ahmad Khan. "Authority without Accountability: The Search for Justice in Pakistan." Global Political Review, X.I (2025): 65-74 Print.

OXFORD

    OXFORD : Shahid, Maryam, Begum, Mehnaz, and Khan, Iftikhar Ahmad (2025), "Authority without Accountability: The Search for Justice in Pakistan", Global Political Review, X (I), 65-74

TURABIAN

    TURABIAN : Shahid, Maryam, Mehnaz Begum, and Iftikhar Ahmad Khan. "Authority without Accountability: The Search for Justice in Pakistan." Global Political Review X, no. I (2025): 65-74. https://doi.org/10.31703/gpr.2025(X-I).06