November 2, 2022 – The federal cabinet has approved an amendment to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Act, 1974, authorising the agency to take action against individuals spreading “rumours and false information against state institutions” on social media.
The amendment was approved last week through a summary on circulation. The proposal, a copy of which is available with Digital Rights Monitor (DRM), also recommends the inclusion of Section 505 (statements conducing to mischief) of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) in the FIA Act, 1974. The proposed amendment will make anti-state content punishable by up to seven years in prison.
The summary stated, “FIA has intimated that presently, social media is inundated with false information and rumours against state institutions and organisations with intent to cause or incite, or which is likely to cause or incite, any officer, soldier, sailor or airman in army, navy or airforce of Pakistan to mutiny, offence or otherwise disregard or fail in his duty as such.”
“These rumours and false information are also being disseminated with intent to cause, or which is likely to cause, fear or alarm in the public or any section of the public whereby any person may be induced to commit an offence against the state or against public tranquillity.”
The final approval of the amendment will be taken from the parliament.
A number of rights activists reacted strongly to the development, calling the amendment an attempt to restrain criticism of the government and silence dissenting voices across social media.
