Islamabad: Saturday, President Arif Alvi gave his approval to the Official Secrets (Amendment) Bill, 2023 and the Pakistan Army (Amendment) Bill, 2023, making them official laws.
On July 31, the National Assembly passed the Pakistan Army (Amendment) Bill, 2023, which imposes a maximum five-year prison sentence for the disclosure of confidential information regarding national security or the armed forces. Separately, the Official Secrets Act ap,proved days before the August 7 dissolution of the National Assembly.
Both bills ultimately authorised by the president following the removal of contentious provisions by parliament in response to strong objections from rights advocates and senators.
What exactly is the Army Act?
The Army Act authorises a maximum of five years of solitary confinement. For anyone who discloses information obtained in an official capacity. That is or may be prejudicial to the security and interests of Pakistan or the armed forces.
Moreover, Law Minister Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar clarified that civilians will not be subject to the bill’s new provisions and amendments after media misunderstandings arose regarding their applicability.
In light of the Supreme Court decision, its amendments would apply to serving and retired officers and personnel of the Pakistan Army, including the authority to grant commissions, determine terms and conditions of service, carry out welfare activities, national development tasks, and for other operational and institutional matters.
PPP Senators Mian Raza Rabbani and Mushtaq Ahmad Khan protested the hasty passage of the bill. With the former also staging a walkout on July 27. It was after the bill passed by the upper chamber of Parliament.
The Official Secrets Act?
The new Official Secrets Act authorises the FIA to investigate potential violators.
The modified bill removes the section that designated someone an enemy for working with foreign agents.
While, The Official Secrets Act 1923 states that “the Investigation Officer shall be an officer of the FIA not below the rank of BPS-17 or equivalent and he shall be designated by Director General FIA.” Director General FIA may appoint a Joint Investigation Team comprising intelligence agency officers if necessary.
The bill requires the JIT to finish its investigation in 30 days. The FIA or JIT will investigate civil espionage. Amending Clause-B of Section 12, the penalty for an offence has been reduced from 14 to 10 years.
