Army Act amendment bill seeks up to five years jail term for leaking sensitive information

ISLAMABAD:

ISLAMABAD: The Senate has approved the Army Act Amendment Bill that has sought up to five-year jail sentence for those leaking information on national security.

Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani chaired the Senate session. Defense Minister Khawaja Asif presented the Army Act Amendment Bill, 2023 which was subsequently passed by the House.

According to the bill’s provisions, military personnel will not participate in political activities under the law.

Army officials cannot engage in political activities for two years after retirement, resignation, or dismissal.

It said that officers assigned to sensitive duties will not participate in political activities for five years.

The bill has sought two-year sentence for violations of the restriction on political involvement.

Under the bill, military personnel involved in electronic crimes with the intention of defaming the Pakistan army will be subject to action under electronic crime laws.

Any officer who maligns or spreads hatred against the army will face imprisonment for two years.

The bill states that unauthorized disclosure of classified information related to national security and interests will result in a harsh sentence of five years.

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Officials who disclose information against the interests of Pakistan and its armed forces will be dealt with under the Official Secrets Act and the Army Act.

According to the amendment bill, current or retired military personnel will not engage in any activity on digital, electronic, or social media that aims to scandalize or ridicule the army.

Furthermore, the amendment bill said that action against offenders will be taken under the Army Act.

It said that if any serving or retired officer defames the army or incites hatred against it, they will face imprisonment for two years under the Army Act.