President Alvi signs laws amending the Army Act and the Official Secrets Act.

On Saturday, President Arif Alvi signed the Official Secrets (Amendment) Bill, 2023, as well as the Pakistan Army Act (Amendment) Bill, 2023.

Both pieces of legislation were enacted by parliament during the coalition government’s tenure and were forwarded to President Alvi for approval.

Bill Regarding the Army Act
Unauthorized revelation of information gathered in the interest of national security or in an official capacity, according to the bill’s terms, will be severely penalized for up to five years; however, disclosure with the consent of the Army Chief or an empowered officer will not be prosecuted.

The measure also stipulates that officials subject to the Act will be prohibited from participating in political activities for two years after retiring, resigning, or being fired.

A person who engages in electronic crime with the intent of defaming the Pakistan Army would be tried under electronic crime, according to the law.

Bill Concerning Official Secrets

According to the bill’s Statement of Objects and Reasons, it is important to amend and make more effective the Official Secrets Act of 1923 in light of the changing social environment in order to ensure the protection and security of official secrets.

A person commits an offense if he “approaches, inspects, passes over, or is in the vicinity of, or enters, attacks, destroys, or otherwise undermines any prohibited place” on intent, according to Section 3 of the law.

“The person shall commit an offence if he intentionally for any purpose makes any sketch, plan, model, or note which is calculated, might be, or is intended to be, directly or indirectly, useful to an enemy,” the legislation reads.

It further stated that a person commits an offense if he receives, collects, records, publishes, or transmits to another person any secret official code or password, or any electronic or modem device, drawing, or plan meant to be or would be advantageous to a State enemy.

Meanwhile, Section 9 has been revised to provide that anybody who incites, conspires, or attempts to commit may face imprisonment for up to three years, a fine of up to one million dollars, or both.

Under the law, the investigating officer will be appointed by the Director General of the Federal investigative Agency (FIA), and a joint investigative team may be created if necessary.