ISLAMABAD: The government on Tuesday introduced the Criminal Law(Amendment) Bill 2020 in the National Assembly to make intentionalridiculing and defaming the armed forces as a punishable crime.
According to an insertion 500A in the Pakistan Penal Code Act 1860,whosoever intentionally ridicules, brings into disrepute or defames thearmed forces or member of the armed forces shall be guilty of the offence.It will be punishable with two years imprisonment or Rs0.5 million fine orwith both.
The statement of objects and reasons of the Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill2020 says the purpose of the amendment is to prevent hatred anddisrespectful behaviour against the armed forces. “Strict action should betaken against those bringing into disrepute the armed forces according tothe law,” the statement said. The bill introduced by Chairman of theStanding Committee on Defence, Amjad Ali Khan was not on the order of theday. It was instead introduced as a supplementary agenda after the passageof a motion.
The National Assembly also passed the Anti-Terrorism (3rd Amendment) Bill2020. This bill too was also not on the order of the day and the governmentgot the motion passed for moving and passage of the same as supplementaryagenda.
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The bill on becoming an act of the parliament would allow an investigationofficer with permission of the court, to use techniques of an undercoveroperation, intercepting communications, accessing a computer system andcontrolled delivery for investigation of financing of terrorism within 60days of permission under the law in force.
The court, however, on the written request of the investigation officer,shall extend the period of permission for using these techniques toinvestigate terror financing for another 60 days.
