It was discovered on Tuesday that the federal government had approved an amendment to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Act giving it authority under a provision of the Pakistan Penal Code to take legal action against anyone attempting to spread “rumors and false information against state institutions” online.
On Thursday, cabinet members authorized a report for public distribution from the Ministry of Interior regarding changes to the FIA Act of 1974’s schedule.
The FIA “has intimated that social media is currently overrun with misleading information?and rumours against state institutions and organizations with intent to provoke or incite or which is likely to cause or incite any officer, solder, sailor or airman in Pakistan’s army, navy, or air force to revolt, offence, or otherwise disregard or fail in his duty as such,” the summary states.
It also states that these rumors and false information were spread with the intention of inciting fear or panic in the public or in any group within the public, which could lead to someone being persuaded to conduct an offense against the state or against the public peace.
“FIA has added that these are likely to inspire any class or community of people to commit any crime against any class or community,” the statement reads.
The PPC Section 505 (statement conducing to public mischief), which was not yet listed in the schedule of the FIA Act, was requested by the FIA, who also asked the state’s approval to add the section to the list of scheduled offenses.
According to PPC Section 505, the first paragraph, anyone found guilty of the relevant offense is subject to a fine and a sentence of imprisonment that may last up to seven years.