Pakistan police have booked a group of people under the country's colonial-era sedition law for allegedly making anti-government remarks and "using abusive language" against government officials in Punjab province, marking another high-profile use of a law that carries penalties of up to life imprisonment.
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The case stems from an incident at a restaurant in Khanpur in Rahim Yar Khan district, around 550 km from Lahore, where the group allegedly made remarks against the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government.
According to PTI, police officer Syed Munawar Ali Shah said a case had been registered against the accused under Section 124-A of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC), Pakistan's colonial-era sedition law, as well as Section 21 of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA).
According to the first information report (FIR), complainant Muhammad Afzal, who recorded the conversation and lodged the complaint, alleged that the accused "were using abusive language about the government functionaries that amounted to inciting the public against the regime."
The FIR, however, does not specify whether the alleged remarks were directed at the provincial or federal government, both of which are currently led by the PML-N.
Section 124-A of the PPC criminalises anyone who, "by words, either spoken or written, or by signs, or by visible representation, or otherwise, brings or attempts to bring into hatred or contempt, or excites or attempts to excite disaffection towards, the Federal or Provincial Government established by law." Under the provision, the offence is punishable with life imprisonment with a fine, imprisonment of up to three years with a fine, or a fine alone.
The law also clarifies that "Comments expressing disapprobation of the measures of the Government with a view to obtain their alteration by lawful means, without exciting or attempting to excite hatred, contempt or disaffection, do not constitute an offence under this section." It similarly states that criticism of administrative action, without inciting hatred or disaffection, is not an offence.
The inclusion of Section 21 of PECA has also drawn scrutiny. The provision criminalises the unauthorised transmission, distribution or exhibition of sexually explicit or manipulated images without consent, carrying a punishment of up to five years' imprisonment or a fine of up to PKR 5 million, or both, PTI reported.
Rights activists questioned both the use of the sedition law and the cybercrime provision. Reacting to the case, activist Ahmad Hasan wrote on X, "Two people were sitting in a hotel talking against the government; a case has been registered -- This is martial law plus in action."
Police said one of the accused has been identified and a team has been constituted to arrest those named in the case. The development comes amid growing concerns raised by rights groups over what they describe as increasing restrictions on free speech in Pakistan under the current government.
