A private member's bill has been introduced in the assembly for imposing a fine of Rs 500,000 and two years imprisonment for insulting the armed forces.

 (Sindh Tribune) : An amendment bill has been introduced in the National Assembly of Pakistan which deals with harassment against national institutions, especially the army.

 The bill has been renamed the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act Bill 2020 to amend the Pakistan Penal Code 1860 and the Code of Criminal Procedure 1898.

 The bill has been introduced by PTI National Assembly member Amjad Ali Khan as a private member's bill.

 The bill proposes that anyone who mocks, tarnishes or defames Pakistan's armed forces will be guilty of a crime punishable by up to two years in prison or Rs. 500,000.  

There can be fines or both, This is a bill to further amend the Pakistan Penal Code 1860 and the Criminal Code 1898.  According to the bill, the amendment aims to "prevent hateful and arrogant behavior" against the armed forces.

 The bill also proposes that "strict action should be taken against those who tarnish the image of the Armed Forces."

At present, Section 500 of the Pakistan Penal Code provides for defamation, but the clause does not name the country's armed forces. According to the text of section 500, "Anyone who brings disgrace or disgrace to another can be sentenced to two years imprisonment or a fine or both."

 It may be recalled that recently cases have been registered against some journalists under such allegations.

 They include Absar Alam, a senior journalist and former chairman of the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA), against whom Punjab police have registered a case of incitement against the Pakistan Army and a case of serious treason under Article 6 against him. Was also requested.

 Earlier, a case was registered against Bilal Farooqi, a journalist and social networking site activist in Karachi, for inciting revolt against the Pakistan Army and spreading religious hatred, while Rawalpindi police recently cracked down on Pakistani media on social media. In particular, a case has been registered against journalist Asad Ali Tor for insulting the army, posting and commenting.