The Protection of Pakistan Ordinance: Limitations and Prospects.

The main purpose of this research is to examine the prospects and limitations of the Protection of Pakistan Ordinance (PPO), besides analyzing the existing legal framework and laws in Pakistan to deal with terrorism and similar phenomenon. Pakistan needed a law, which could protect citizens from terrorism and also safeguard and guarantee their fundamental and constitutional freedom. An attempt is made to understand the need, practicality, misuse and effectiveness of the PPO. The social dynamics and socio-political environment of the country, is imperative to understand the prevailing legal system in the country. The dilemma Pakistan is facing comprises complex, multifarious and deep-rooted problems and miscalculations. Unfortunately, the previous legal framework related to terrorism was subjected to politicization and over the years did not prove to be much effective. The paper briefly analyzes the historical background of legal framework and the existing legal framework to deal with similar threats, challenges and shortcomings it faces. It also gives a comparative analysis of similar laws implemented in India and USA. The PPO is way less harsher than both the PATRIOT Act and Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA), which violate basic human and constitutional rights and the abuses still persist after years of enactment of both the laws. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]