National Assembly member (MNA) Jamshed Dasti has challenged newly promulgated Protection of Pakistan Ordinance in the Islamabad High Court (IHC).
Dasti stated in the petition that the law is against basic human rights and could be used to crush political opponents. He appealed the court to declare the law null and void.
On Friday, President Mamnoon Hussain signed the Protection of Pakistan Bill 2014.
The ordinance provides for protection against waging of war or insurrection against Pakistan and prevention of acts threatening the country’s security.
The law, which is valid for two years, provides unusual powers to the army and law-enforcing institutions for operations against those involved in terrorism, money extortion and other crimes.
It permits security forces to shoot suspects on sight with the permission of a grade-15 official or above.
The new law doubles the maximum sentence for terrorism offences to 20 years and allows security forces to hold suspects for up to 60 days without disclosing their whereabouts or allegations against them.
The law has been criticised by political parties and right groups.
