Islamabad: Within a week of committing itself along with other SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) countries to eliminate terrorism in all forms and manifestations, Pakistan today (Jan 10, 2004) tightened its anti terrorism law enhancing punishment upto 10 years and making financing of terrorist activities a non-bailable offence.

The amendments in the Anti-Terrorism Act of 1997 were approved at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Zafarullah Khan Jamali in Islamabad.

Giving details of the amendments, Information Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmad told reporters that any individual or entity involved in financing of terrorism would be punished with rigorous imprisonment ranging from four to 10 years.

Financing of terrorism shall be non-bailable offence and also societies and other institutions, which have a potential to act as conduits for such financing shall be obliged to establish bank accounts and maintain information about their employees and clients, failing which they will face fine and revocation of license, according to the amendments.

The amendments were carried out in line with the UN regulations formulated after the September 11 terrorist attacks on the US, Ahmad said.

The government took the steps after Pakistan along with other SAARC countries last Tuesday signed an Additional Protocol on the Convention on Terrorism, pledging to eliminate the menace in all forms and manifestation in the region and to deal effectively with financing it.