[JURIST] Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif [BBC profile; JURIST news archive] said Wednesday that Pakistan’s anti-terrorism laws will be amended to more effectively combat the threat of terrorism. The statements come after increased violence in the city of Karachi. Sharif presided over security meetings discussing how to improve Pakistan’s approach to terrorism [IANS report]. While he ruled out [BBC report] official military operations, Sharif noted all other avenues will be explored, including use of paramilitary forces. Legal experts have pointed out there are loopholes that may allow suspected terrorists to be acquitted too easily. In the security meeting, senior officials discussed key administrative flaws that could be addressed to improve the legal regime. In addition, Sharif called for an immediate end to all “no-go” areas [The Nation report].

Late last month the Pakistani anti-terrorism court (ATC) officially charged [JURIST report] Pervez Musharraf [BBC profile; JURIST news archive] for the murder of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto [BBC obituary; JURIST news archive]. In May the Pakistani interim government declined [JURIST report] to try Musharraf for treason because they claimed such action would be outside the scope of their duties. In April the Peshawar High Court of Pakistan banned [JURIST report] Musharraf from running for public office for the rest of his life, as well as extending his house arrest during the ongoing trial regarding the murder of Bhutto. Also in April a Pakistan court extended [JURIST report] Musharraf’s bail on charges of illegally detaining judges.