India, April 8 -- In what seems another attempt to muzzle any criticism of its powerful armed forces, the Pakistan government is all set to pass legislation allowing punishment for people for what it says "intentionally ridiculing" its forces.

According to a report in Dawn, the National Assembly Standing Committee on Interior has approved a bill to make amendments to the Pakistan Penal Code and Code of Criminal Procedure 1898.

Under the proposed amendment, anyone who shall be guilty of said offense could face up to two years imprisonment or a fine that may extend to Rs500,000, or both.

The amendment appears to have been pushed by the country's military establishment which has, in recent months, come under constant public criticism by P...