ISLAMABAD: As the controversy continued over the law, a special court has been established to hear cases under the Official Secrets Act.
A special court was established in Islamabad for the entire country to try individuals under the Official Secrets Act. Judge of Anti-Terrorism Court No. 1 appointed as Judge of the special court. ATC Judge Abul Hasanat Muhammad Zulqarnain has been appointed to hear cases under the Official Secrets Act.
The Anti-Terrorism Court confirmed that there is only one court in the whole country for cases under the law. The hold will hold in-camera proceedings of cases under the Official Secrets Act.
It must be mentioned that the Gazette of Pakistan has published the passing of the o Official Secrets (Amendment) Bill, 2023, and the Pakistan Army (Amendment) Bill, 2023.
Several high-profile individuals including former prime minister Imran Khan, former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, and Asad Umar are currently under arrest after being charged under the Official Secrets Act.
A controversy erupted after President Arif Alvi said he didn’t sign the bill and gave his assent. The president claimed his staff signed the bill even though he returned the bills.
What is Official Secrets Act?
The revised version of the Official Secrets Act empowers the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to conduct investigations against individuals suspected of violating it.
The amended bill also excludes the amendment which labelled an individual as an enemy for engaging with foreign agents.
An important insertion in the Official Secrets Act 1923 says that under this Act “the Investigation Officer shall be an officer of the FIA not below the rank of BPS-17 or equivalent and he shall be designated by Director General FIA. If Director General FIA deems necessary, he may appoint Joint Investigation Team consisting of officers of intelligence agencies as he may appoint.”
According to the bill, the JIT will complete its inquiry within 30 days. The case relating to civil espionage will be investigated by the FIA or JIT. However, according to an amendment in Clause-B of Section 12, the punishment for an offence has been reduced from 14 to 10 years.
