LAHORE: Justice Amjad Pervaiz of the Lahore High Court on Tuesday recused himself from hearing a petition challenging the Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Bill 2026 passed by the Punjab Assembly.

As the petition was called for the hearing, Justice Pervaiz refused to proceed with it, observing that he had been serving as advocate general when the bill was being prepared. The judge forwarded the case file to the chief justice with a request to place it for hearing before any other appropriate bench.

Petitioner Yusuf Wain, a lawyer, challenged the bill passed by the assembly, contending that certain provisions of the amended law are contrary to the constitutional and fundamental rights.

He said that a provision seeking concealment of the names and identities of judges, prosecutors and witnesses during the trial of anti-terrorism cases is contrary to constitutional requirements.

The petitioner stated that accused persons have a constitutional right to a fair trial, while completely concealing the identities of the judge, prosecutor and witnesses during proceedings could affect the fundamental legal rights of an accused.

The petitioner, therefore, asked the court to set aside the impugned bill passed by the assembly.

Published in Dawn, September 9th, 2026