Jail time, ₨. 500,000 fine: Here’s what the new bill says about criticism on Pakistan Army
The new criminal law amendment bill was put forward and submitted by a PTI lawmaker.
Criticism of the Pakistan Armed Forces may lead you to land in prison for two years, along with a fine worth ₨. 500,000 — or both.
This was mandated in a new bill passed Wednesday by the National Assembly Standing Committee on Interior.
The new criminal law amendment bill was put forward and submitted by the PTI lawmaker, Amjad Ali Khan.
The final vote was also cast by the ruling party’s Raja Khurram Shahzad Nawaz.
Nawaz, the chairman of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Interior, broke the 5-5 vote tie by voting in favor of the proposed bill, which was consequently passed with a majority.
During deliberations on the proposed legislation, leaders of the PPP and PML-N had argued against it.
Syed Agha Rafiullah of the PPP the PML-N’s Marriyum Aurangzeb and Chaudhry Nadeem Abbas Rebaira argued it would be used against freedom of expression in the country.
They further stated that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) government had voted against the bill even though the remaining three provinces were yet to do so.
“We stand strong with our institutions. Nevertheless, criticism in good faith should not be misunderstood. Why are they being made sacred cows?” they questioned.
Pakistan’s armed forces and their personnel would be free from any deliberate ridicule, insult, and defamation under the criminal law amendment bill.
Those who do so would be punishable under Section 500A of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC), with punishment including jail time of two years, a fine of up to ₨. 500,000, or both.
As per the criminal law amendment bill, critics of the Pakistani armed forces would face trial in a civil court.
What are your views on this? Share with us in the comments below.
As a strong PTI supported strongly oppose this bill.
They are already well above the law.
From Sacred cows they have now become Sacred Royal Cows. What mega corruption of Armed forces is under way!
Corrupt politicians ke terah corrupt establishment pay be tanqeed jari rahey ge kisi maye kay laal main himat hai tu paker lay aa ker
this law should be for everybody or for nobody.
100% in support of this bill, tang agye thy in roz k gair zaruri comments or suggestions se. Ek to hamare mulk me agar kisi ne cool banna hy to phr bs armed forces ka mazaq udao bs or jo dil me aye wo bol do. Shuker hy kuch sukun hoga ab