FIA authorized to act against anti-state social media posts

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 2 November 2022

The federal government has empowered the FIA to prosecute individuals for anti-state social media content. This decision comes through amendments to the FIA Act, 1974, allowing the agency to address misinformation against state institutions.

Summary

ISLAMABAD—The federal government has delegated the powers to Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to take action against those who make social media posts against state institutions.

The Federal Cabinet approved the summary of amendments to the schedule of the FIA Act, 1974, on behalf of the Interior Ministry.

Further, the federal government has approved an amendment to the FIA Act, under which it has been given the power to take action against anyone who posts anti-state material on social media, along with a section of the Pakistan Penal Code.

Dawn reported the FIA is of the view that social media is rife with false information and rumors against state institutions and organizations.

FIA has requested the government to include the act in its list of scheduled offenses under PPC Section 505. The legislation has been amended by the Federal Cabinet stating that the sub-clause (1) of Section 505 of the Pakistan Penal Code states that any person who commits the offense concerned shall be liable to imprisonment for a term which may extend to seven years with a fine.

KEY POINTS:

• FIA can take action against anti-state posts on social media.
• Federal Cabinet approved amendments to the FIA Act, 1974.
• Violators may face up to seven years in prison under Section 505.
• FIA claims social media is filled with false information.
• The act aims to curb misinformation against state institutions.