ISLAMABAD: A petition has been filed in the Supreme Court of Pakistan against the status of the Official Secrets Act and the Pakistan Army Act, which grant more power to prosecute individuals for acts against the state and military.
The petition, submitted by Advocate Zulfiqar Bhutta in the Supreme Court, seeks an inquiry into the matter and requests the acquittal of both bills. The federal government has been named as the respondent in the case.
The petition asserts that the amendments in both laws “carry great sensitivity as they impact not only the accused individuals but also the general public”. It asks for the apex court’s guidance on the legal status of both bills and urges the court to make a ruling within the next ten days.
“The President’s statement has given rise to questions about the legislation,” the plea states. “The people’s rights are directly connected to the Official Secrets Act and the Pakistan Army Act,” the petitioner said.
Controversy Around Official Secrets Act, Pakistan Army Act
President Arif Alvi on Sunday declined to sign the Official Secrets (Amendment) Bill and the Pakistan Army Act (Amendment) Bill into law. Although the bills had already been passed by the lower and upper houses of parliament, President Arif Alvi’s announcement on Sunday stated that he had rejected signing the two bills.
Using his platform on X, previously known as Twitter, he posted a statement: “As God is my witness, I did not sign the Official Secrets Amendment Bill 2023 & Pakistan Army Amendment Bill 2023 as I disagreed with these laws.”
Earlier, a petition was filed in the Lahore High Court on Monday by Advocate Mohammad Muqsit Saleem, challenging the two laws. The petitioner expressed doubts about the validity and procedural correctness of the laws after the President’s statement.
The applicant stated that the act was not passed in accordance with the proper legislative procedure and requested the court to suspend the Official Secrets Amendment Act and Army Act until a final decision is reached.
