FIA authories to act over hate speeches

ISLAMABAD:

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) was authorised to take action against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) top leaders, including its Chairman Imran Khan, for inciting people against state institutions, Express News reported on Sunday.

The government extended the ambit of the Section 505 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC), which pertains to statement causing public disturbance, by allowing the FIA to investigate the cases under this law.

Hitherto, only the police were authorised to investigate the cases under Section-505. However, the government recently approved an amendment to the PPC to also include the FIA as investigating agency.

Now, the FIA would have the power to take action under PPC Section 505 any such person involved in spreading "rumours and false information against state institutions" on social media or any other forum.

The Express News report said that the government had decided to take legal action against PTI Chairman Imran Khan, Senior Vice Chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi and other people by conducting an inquiry through the FIA.

Recently, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) and the Punjab Police have requested the federal government to take legal action about the controversial statements and allegations of Imran and Qureshi.

FIA sources said that now if any application was received, action would be taken as per law. In case of conviction under Section 505 of PPC, the accused could be punished with imprisonment of up to seven years along with fine.