May 14, 2024
Bilal Baseer
ISLAMABAD:
Federal Minister of Defence Khawaja Muhammad Asif has announced that individuals who disseminate confidential information or documents on social media will face legal action under the Official Secrets Act. He emphasized the government’s strict stance against the unauthorised disclosure of sensitive information, particularly instances where documents marked as “secret” are openly shared.
However, experts argue that such measures pose a challenge to the fundamental right of access to information. They contend that while safeguarding national security is crucial, any restrictions on access to information must be balanced with the public’s right to transparency and accountability.
The Official Secrets Act 1923, which was amended last year, prohibits the unauthorized disclosure of national secrets, classified documents, and information to any individual who jeopardizes the interests of the country or is not legally entitled to access such information.
Senior politician Farhatullah Babar tells Voicepk that when access to information laws requires government departments to upload all documents on websites for citizen convenience, imposing restrictions on such access is akin to limiting information accessibility.
According to Federal Minister Khawaja Asif, all such persons against whom cases will be registered under the Official Secrets Act 2023 will be punished with two years of imprisonment and a fine.