FIA plans to stop “rumour-mongering” on social media
PPC Section 505 may be included in agency laws, with Cabinet approval.
ISLAMABAD: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has been given permission by the government to take legal action against anyone attempting to propagate “rumours and false information about state institutions” online.
On October 27, the federal cabinet authorised a change to the FIA Act, 1974 that included a section of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) for this reason.
It approved a brief on distribution from the interior ministry for FIA legislation amendments.
In the summary, it was stated that “[the] FIA has intimated that at this time, social media is overrun with false information and rumours against state institutions and organisations with intent to cause or incite or which is likely to cause or incite any officer, solder, sailor or airman in Pakistan’s army, navy, or air force to mutiny, offence, or other disregard or fail in his duty as such.”
“These rumours and false information are also being spread with the intent to cause, or which is likely to cause, fear or alarm in the public or in any section of the public,” it continued. “By doing so, any person may be persuaded to commit an offence against the state or against the public tranquillity.”
See the eight FIA circles established to prevent money laundering.
The FIA had underlined that these rumours and untrue material “were likely to inspire any class or community of persons to commit any offence against any other class or community,” it was further said.
The FIA pointed out that the PPC Section 505 (statement conducing to public mischief), which is now absent from the agency’s law, allows the government to prosecute the offence.
It desired the State’s consent before adding Section 505 to its list of scheduled offences.
According to PPC Section 505, anyone who “makes, publishes, or circulates any statement, rumour, or report — (a) with intent to cause or incite, or which is likely to cause or incite, any officer, soldier, sailor, or airman in the Army, Navy, or Air Force of Pakistan to mutiny, offence, or otherwise disregard or fail in his duty as such; or (b) with intent to cause, or which is likely to cause, fear or
