ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s new anti-terrorism law gives a “green light for abusing suspects” and should be withdrawn, a rights group said on Friday.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) said the Protection of Pakistan Bill, passed by the National Assembly on Wednesday, violated the country’s international legal obligations.

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.

HRW said the law could be used to suppress peaceful political opposition and criticism of the government policy.

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“This vague and overbroad counter-terrorism law gives a green light for abusing suspects in detention, which is already far too common in Pakistan,” said Phelim Kine, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch, in a statement.

“Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif... should ensure that this law is replaced by one that ensures the protection of basic rights in the fight against terrorism.”

The legislation, passed as the military fights a major offensive against Taliban and Al Qaeda-linked militant hideouts in the North Waziristan tribal area on the Afghan border, was watered down from its initial form.

Originally the law would have allowed detention for 90 days and permitted security forces to open fire on anyone they see committing or “likely to commit” terrorism offences. Now officers can only shoot suspects as a “last resort”.

HRW said the new law would violate fundamental rights enshrined in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which Pakistan ratified in 2010.

The New York-based campaign group said the bill was an improvement on the original ordinance issued last year, but was still vague and could be used to stifle peaceful political protests.

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) described it as an attack on fundamental rights.

“The HRCP is appalled at the failure of parliament to block the passage of the Bill, a draconian legislation to the core,” HRCP spokesperson Zohra Yusuf said in a statement.

The government introduced the legislation in a bid to curb the violence and instability blighting Pakistan.

The nation has been in the grip of a Taliban insurgency since 2007, with thousands of people killed in bomb and gun attacks.

Pakistan also faces a nationalist movement in Balochistan and rising sectarian violence.

Published in Dawn, July 5th , 2014