ABSTRACT
The newly independent states of Pakistan and India adopted much of their legal corpus from the colonial state. This adoption included several security laws, and anywhere it was not possible to adopt a specific law, its form and substance were adopted. The major colonial laws that were adopted either in almost their original form or after amendments included the Frontier Crimes Regulations, the Press Act, the Government of India Act, the Defence of India Act and Rules, the Enemy Agents Act, and the Foreigners. The chapter introduces how the colonial regime of security continued in the postcolonial state of Pakistan through these laws. In the early years after independence, Pakistan had a number of security laws in force both at the national level and at the provinces. The Security of Pakistan Act (SPA) was one of the first major security acts introduced after independence. With the adoption of the Constitution, the SPA became an act under the new constitutional framework.
