Pakistan’s upper house i.e. the Senate has unanimously passed a bill based on the amendments made by the present government to the Army Act, 1952, which proposes that any person who obtains information in an official capacity, which discloses or causes to be disclosed, which may be harmful to the national interest and security, shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to five years.
Another important proposal in the bill passed by the Senate is that an officer who has been holding a position during the service which is covered by the Army Act and which has been declared ‘sensitive’ may, on his retirement, or resignation, or Cannot participate in political activities until completion of five years of dismissal.
The title of this bill based on the amendments in the Army Act 1952 is ‘Pakistan Army (Amendment) Act 2023’ which was presented by the Federal Minister for Defense Khawaja Asif in the Senate meeting held on Thursday.
Contrary to the normal procedure of the House, the bill was not sent to the relevant Senate committee for consideration before approval, but when the bill was presented to the House for approval, no member opposed it. .
After the approval of the Senate, the bill will now be sent to the National Assembly for approval.
What are the reasons for introducing this bill? Read on to find out what else this proposed draft law says.
