The National Assembly passed a bill on Monday to amend the Pakistan Army Act, 1952. The bill states that divulging information related to national security and national interests will lead to a prison sentence of up to five years.

“The Army Act Amendment Bill, 2023 will have no effect on the case pending in the Supreme Court,” Law Minister, who presented the Pakistan Army (Amendment) Act, 2023 in the absence of Defence Minister Khawaja Asif in the largely empty house, said.

The bill was already passed by the Senate last week, amid a walkout from PPP leader Raza Rabbani who described it as “blind legislation”. The bill includes a section regarding punishment for defaming the army for two years and a fine.

“Now dual nationals will not be able to join forces in Pakistan,” said Tarar.

The bill also states that officials that fall under the law would not be able to participate in political activities within two years of retirement, resignation or dismissal. The duration for those on sensitive posts will be five years.

In case a person commits an offence against the Army under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, action will be taken against him under the act, said the bill.

Section 55-C stated that a person subject to the Army Act, who “ridicules, scandalises, brings into hatred or otherwise attempts to lower the armed forces of Pakistan or any part thereof in the estimation of others shall […] be punished with imprisonment which may extend to two years or fine or with both.”

The bill also proposes introducing Section 176-AA (power to issue instructions) which states that the COAS may “from time to time, make and issue instructions for carrying into effect the provisions of this Act and the rules and regulations made thereunder, provided that all such instructions already made and issued shall always be deemed to have been validly made and issued under this act”.

The ruling alliance has maintained that the Army Act amendment bill, which includes two years of punishment for defaming the army, does not apply to civilians.

“The Army Act amendment bill does not apply to civilians. This is categoric[al]. These things have come into the defence laws and security of forces because of the evolution of everything,” Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb cited while quoting the law minister on Asma Shirazi’s show Faisla Aap Ka on July 27, 2023.