Pakistan Army Act proposes up to five years in jail for those who disclose sensitive information . Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar presented Pakistan Army Amendment Act in the largely empty house . Previously in the upper house of Parliament senators had criticised the bill and the PTI on Saturday decided to initiate a probe into the role of its senators in the passing of the legislation .
The bill was passed by the Senate last week and according to to todays agenda of the NA it was scheduled to be presented by Defence Minister Khawaja Asif in the lower house . However in his absence Law Minister Tarar clarified that none of the provisions of the amendment act would apply to civilians .
He further elaborated that a matter pertaining to military trials had been taken up by the Supreme Court and this legislation would not apply to those trials as well. This will not be retrospective in nature. The bill also proposes introducing Section B which forbids any person subject to the army act from engaging in any kind of political activity for two years from the date of their retirement release release resignation discharge removal or dismissal from the service as well .
Other bills passed by NA today include the Defence Housing Authority Islamabad Amendment Bill and State Minister for Law and Justice Shahadat Awan moved the Cantonments Amendment Bill . The NA passed six other bills including the Board of Investment Bill and the Pakistan Sovereign Wealth Fund and the Federal Urdu University of Sciences and Technology Islamabad amendment Bill .
Three of these bills were approved by State Minister Shahadadat AWan and the Cantons Amendment Bill respectively . The bills were also approved by Shahadam Awan . Other Bills were passed by Law andJustice Awan.
