The National Assembly passed the amendments to the Official Secrets Act on Tuesday, empowering intelligence agencies to enter and search any person or place without a warrant.

Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Murtaza Javed Abbasi moved the bill during a session of the National Assembly.

The bill states that anyone acting in a manner to disturb public order, safety, national interests or Pakistan’s defence; or intentionally reveals the identity of undisclosed intelligence agency members, informants, or their sources is committing an offence.

It proposes imprisonment for a term of up to three years and a fine extending to Rs10 million.

The bill also included an amendment which stated that the investigating officer will be an officer of the Federal Investigating Agency who would be appointed by the FIA director general for investigation.

If needed, a Joint Investigation Team will be formed which will include the investigation officer and other such officers of intelligence agencies, the bill states.

It added that FIA would have to complete the investigation of cases within 30 working days.