LAHORE: A petition challenging Official Secrets Amendment Act, 2023 was submitted to Lahore High Court (LHC). High Court has been prayed to suspend Official Secrets Act until it makes final decision on petition. Petition has made federal government, federal law and interior ministries respondents in case. Petition was filed by Advocate Muhammad Maqsat Saleem in Lahore High Court.

 Petition states that as per President's statement, he did not sign Official Secrets Act. Act did not pass through proper procedure. Official Secrets Amendment Act is ultra vires, petition states adding that Act assigns unconstitutional powers to police and other law enforcement institutions to enter house of any citizen without warrants.Under this Act, it is not obligatory to produce arrested person in magistrate's court. Petition says that Article 4 and Article 19-A guarantee protection of citizens' freedom and their basic rights.

 Yesterday, President Dr Arif Alvi said that he did not sign Official Secrets Amendment Bill, 2023 and Pakistan Army Amendment Bill, 2023 as he disagreed with these laws.

Published in The Daily National Courier, August, 22 2023

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