Silenced

Online speech and its consequences in Pakistan, 2016 to present

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PPC Section 131: Abetting mutiny, or attempting to seduce a soldier, sailor or airman from his duty

Pakistan Penal Code (PPC), 1860

What this section covers

Official heading: Abetting mutiny, or attempting to seduce a soldier, sailor or airman from his duty

Abetting mutiny or trying to turn members of the armed forces from their allegiance or duty. Cited in cases over speeches or posts urging soldiers to disobey.

Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for life, or up to 10 years, and fine

Part of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC), 1860. Pakistan's main criminal code, enacted in 1860 and amended many times since. It defines most crimes and their punishments. The sections tracked here are those reports cite in speech cases: conspiracy and sedition-type offences (121-A, 131), promoting enmity between groups (153-A), statements causing public mischief (505), criminal intimidation (506), and the blasphemy laws (295-A to 298-C).

A plain-language explanation, not legal advice. The official text always takes precedence.

Official text

The official consolidated text, published by the Ministry of Law and Justice on Pakistan Code:

Read 131 in the official text ↗

Recent incidents citing this law

The following verified cases are currently mapped on Silenced under this law.

1 verified incident whose report cites 131. Citations are read automatically from news reports and can be incomplete; inclusion does not verify the allegation.

  1. Project Peca III: What goes around, comes around

    · Islamabad, Islamabad Capital Territory · Speech Consequences · Arrest · Law cited: PECA 10, 11, 13, 20, 21, 24, 37; PPC 124-A, 131, 500, 501, 505

    The year 2020 began on the heels of sedition cases against the Student Solidarity March organisers in December 2019 and PTM leader Manzoor Pashteen’s arrest in January, followed by the arrests of MNAs Mohsin Dawar and Ali Wazir as well as those of several AWP leaders. In the case of Umair Solangi, Executive Editor of AwamiKhabarnama.com , he tweeted that he was illegally detained by the FIA who picked him up at 9pm on October 21, 2020, releasing him the next day in the early hours at around 4am.

    View on map · Dawn ↗

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