Official Secrets Act bill sails through NA after controversial clause removed
ISLAMABAD: The Official Secrets (Amendment) Bill sailed through the National Assembly yet again after the coalition government removed controversial clauses on Monday.
The Official Secrets Bill was tabled in the National Assembly again on Monday after the legislation with controversial clauses had failed to get Senate’s nod.
However, the Senate passed the legislation by a majority vote after the government made changes to the bill, removing a clause that sought to empower intelligence agencies to carry out raids or make arrests without warrants.
Federal Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, who tabled the bill in the Senate on behalf of Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah, informed the house that the government had withdrawn the provision to empower intelligence agencies to carry out raids or make arrests without warrants.
“The objection has been removed.. the arrest without warrant clause has been withdrawn,” the minister added.
He also emphasised that the revised legislation empowered the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to investigate individuals suspected of violating the Official Secrets Act.
He pointed out the word ‘knowingly’ had been added to a clause which in its original form was “a person may be presumed to be in communication with an enemy or a foreign agent, if he has either within or outside Pakistan visited the address”.
The main objection, he further said, pertained to the power of the agencies to arrest without a warrant had been withdrawn, adding that certain words on which the members had raised objections had also been removed.
The federal minister, however, contended that the legislation should be seen without prejudice to give protection to the military personnel and intelligence agencies people offering sacrifices in the war zones.
In the same session, the National Assembly also passed several other legislations including PIA Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 2023 and Higher Education Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2023.
Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said detailed discussions were held on the Higher Education Commission Bill in the Senate session.
He said the secretary education will represent the areas where is no provincial Higher Education Commission (HEC).
“One expert from each of the four provinces will also be its member,” the minister added The National Assembly session has been adjourned till 5pm Tuesday. – Our Reporter/Web Desk/News Agencies
