IN the backdrop of a sustained campaign being launched by some vested interests, the Senate passed a unanimous resolution, moved by PPP lawmaker Behramand Tangi from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, seeking severe punishment for those who are indulging in propaganda against the armed forces. The resolution called for a ten-year disqualification from public office for those ‘found involved in negative and malicious propaganda against the armed forces and other security agencies of Pakistan’. Through the resolution, the Senators expressed deep concern over the ‘negative and malicious propaganda against the armed forces and other security agencies on various social media platforms’.
Unlike laws and constitutional provisions, the resolution has no binding force but the very fact that the entire house adopted it unanimously reflects the thinking and mood of the elected representatives on the issue that has become a source of concern for people of Pakistan because of its negative implications for the unity and strength of the state. With this in view, it is hoped that the government would give serious consideration to the recommendations made in the resolution that calls upon it to take necessary steps to award severe punishment as per law for all those found involved in negative and malicious propaganda against the armed forces and other security agencies of Pakistan. The recommendation for ten-year disqualification from public office for those found guilty of misconduct on this account also deserves further action by the legislatures as this would have a deterrent effect against propaganda directed towards national institutions for the sake of personal or party interests. The resolution has rightly pointed out huge sacrifices of armed forces and other security agencies in the war against terror and for the defence and protection of the country’s borders acknowledging that a strong army and other security agencies are indispensable for the defence of the country, especially in view of the hostile neighbourhood. In fact, the motives of the external powers and forces carrying out intensive propaganda against Pakistan armed forces and intelligence agencies are understandable as they want to undermine the strength of the country. However, they cannot succeed in their nefarious designs without active internal support and that is why the resolution assumes special significance and deserves to be acted upon in letter and spirit.
