IHC suspends ASI’s sentence under Official Secrets Act

Accused's counsel argues prosecution's failure to present evidence; bail confirmed on surety bonds of Rs200,000

ISLAMABAD:

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) suspended the sentence on Thursday of Islamabad Police Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Zahoor Ahmed under the Official Secrets Act.

In December 2021, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) registered a case against ASI Ahmed for planning a meeting with a foreign diplomat and intending to hand over sensitive information and documents related to national security to a foreign agent.

Zahoor was granted bail in January 2022.

However, on May 19, the inspector was found "guilty", by a special court dedicated to hearing cases filed under the Official Secrets Act, and sentenced to three-year imprisonment for providing secret documents to a foreign envoy.

Today, IHC's Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani heard the officer's appeal against the sentence and suspended it, ordering him to submit bail bonds of Rs200,000.

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Representing the appellant in court advocate Imran Feroze Malik asserted that the prosecution could not provide evidence under the Official Secrets Act.

The Secrets Act

The Official Secrets Act 1923 criminalizes the disclosure of state secrets to protect national security.

Under this act, unauthorized access to, and communication of, sensitive information is punishable by law. This legislation is designed to safeguard national security and maintain confidentiality regarding the operations and activities of the state.

Violations of the Official Secrets Act are treated as serious offenses, and the law provides for stringent penalties, including imprisonment, to deter individuals from compromising national security.

The act applies to both government officials and civilians, ensuring that any breach of confidentiality is addressed with the full force of the law.