The IPI global network is alarmed by a proposed bill in Pakistan that would punish criticism of the Pakistan military and judiciary with prison. The measures would expand on the already restrictive provisions in the criminal code that are increasingly used to slience critial media and independent journalism in Pakistan.聽
The Criminal Laws (Amendment) Act, 2023 introduces a new provision to the Pakistan Penal Code that introduces a maximum five-year prison term and fine for anyone who publishes or shares information, through any medium, with the intent to 鈥渞idicule or scandalise鈥� the military and judiciary or its members, according to Pakistani news outlet . The rule also authorizes the arrest of suspects without a warrant and denies suspects the right to pre-trial bail.
鈥淭he Pakistani government must refrain from weaponizing laws to weaken free speech and press freedom and public institutions must be able to withstand public scrutiny and criticism鈥�, IPI Director of Advocacy Amy Brouillette said. 鈥淲e call on the goverment to commit to drafting laws in close cooperation with civil society and human rights experts to mitigate potential human rights and freedom of expression risks.鈥�
The bill, which was initiated by the Ministry of Interior and reviewed by the Ministry of Law and Justice, is expected to be forwarded to the federal cabinet, according to . It is the third draft bill that has been proposed to criminalize criticism of the state in recent years. In April 2021, the National Assembly鈥檚 Standing Committee on Interior introduced the , which proposed a maximum of two years imprisonment and a fine for anyone who 鈥渋ntentionally ridicule[s] the armed forces.鈥� It was ultimately rejected by the Senate and the National Assembly. In November 2022, the government introduced an amendment to the, which empowers the agency to punish anybody who spreads 鈥渞umours and false information against state institutions鈥� on social media.
Pakistani authorities arrested or detained at least 20 journalists between April and September 2022 alone, according to IPI monitoring. Journalists are often charged under Pakistan鈥檚 criminal code, including Section 505 of Pakistan鈥檚 Penal Code, which prohibits the circulation of rumours or alarming news and is often used beyond its legitimate scope to silence journalists who expose corruption or criticize government policies.