President Arif Alvi signed two bills: the Pakistan Army Act (Amendment) Bill, 2023, and the Official Secrets (Amendment) Bill, 2023.
President Alvi signs Army Act amendment: While in office, the coalition government approved both legislations in the parliament and subsequently forwarded them to President Alvi for ratification.
Military Act Bill
The bill’s provisions state that unauthorised disclosure of information obtained in the interest of national security and in one’s official capacity will result in severe punishment for up to five years; however, disclosure done with the Army Chief’s or the authorised officer’s consent will not result in punishment.
The bill also stipulated that individuals subject to it would not be allowed to engage in political activity for two years following their retirement, resignation, or dismissal.
The measure states that anyone who engages in electronic crime with the intention of disparaging the Pakistan Army shall face legal action.
Proposed Official Secrets Act
In order to preserve the safety and security of official papers, it is essential to revise the Official Secrets Act of 1923 and make it more effective in light of the evolving social landscape.
A person commits a crime, according to Section 3 of the law, if they “approach, inspect, pass over, enter, attack, destroy, or otherwise undermine any prohibited place” with the goal of doing so.
“The offense,” it add, “shall be deem committ by anyone intentionally creating a sketch, plan, model, or note for any purpose intend to be, might be, or is calculate to be, directly or indirectly, useful to an enemy.”
Furthermore, it state that acquiring, gathering, recording, publishing, or conveying any secret official code or password, as well as any electronic or modem device, drawing, or plan that is intende to be, or could be, beneficial to a state enemy is unlawful.
Meanwhile, they amended Section 9 to specify that anyone who incites, conspires, or attempts to commit the act shall face imprisonment for a maximum of three years, a fine of up to one million dollars, or both.
According to the proposed legislation, the investigating officer will come from the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), and the DG FIA will designate the aforementioned officer. If required, authorities can also establish a joint investigation team.
Moreover, intelligence agencies can now conduct warrantless searches “anywhere” and “anytime” due to the amendment bill.