President, Dr. Arif Alvi addressing a seminar on Insurance Ombudsman and Concept of Speedy Justice at the Doorstep held at Aiwan-e-Sadr in Islamabad

President Arif Alvi has given his official assent to the Official Secrets (Amendment) Bill, 2023, and the Pakistan Army (Amendment) Bill, 2023, making them official laws. These bills were presented to the president after being passed by both the Senate and the National Assembly, a move that sparked criticism from lawmakers belonging to both ruling and opposition parties.

The Pakistan Army (Amendment) Bill, 2023, was passed by the National Assembly on July 31. This bill aims to punish individuals with up to five years of imprisonment for revealing sensitive information related to national security or the armed forces. Similarly, the Official Secrets Act was approved just days before the National Assembly's dissolution on August 7.

Both bills faced intense debate and scrutiny, with certain controversial clauses being removed due to objections from human rights advocates and senators. The Army Act is focused on punishing those who disclose information that could harm Pakistan's security or the armed forces, primarily affecting serving and retired army personnel. Contrary to some misconceptions, the amendments do not apply to civilians.

The revised Official Secrets Act grants the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) authority to investigate suspected violations. Notably, a contentious amendment that labeled individuals engaging with foreign agents as enemies has been excluded. Under the new Act, the FIA will conduct inquiries, and a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) may be formed by the Director General of FIA if required. The JIT will have 30 days to complete its investigation. Additionally, the punishment for certain offenses has been reduced from 14 to 10 years.

The passage of these bills sparked disagreement in Parliament, with Senator Mian Raza Rabbani and Senator Mushtaq Ahmad Khan protesting the hasty approval of the Army Act. Senator Rabbani even staged a walkout following its passage in the upper house on July 27.

In conclusion, President Arif Alvi's approval of the Official Secrets (Amendment) Bill, 2023, and the Pakistan Army (Amendment) Bill, 2023, has drawn both support and criticism, reflecting the ongoing debate surrounding these significant legal changes.

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