ISLAMABAD: The federal cabinet has approved amendments to the law on an emergency basis to take immediate action against those elements who are involved in sedition or inciting revolt and insurgency against the state.

According to details, the government has decided to give the power to set up sedition cases to the Home Secretary and provincial governments, sources said, adding that the federal cabinet has approved amendments to section 196 of the Criminal Code.

The amendments were approved by the federal cabinet through a circulation, which gave the Home Secretary the power to prosecute for mutiny and incitement to mutiny.

According to sources, the court concerned will not try the case without the approval of the Home Secretary. The case under Section 5, including Section 153A, will be heard with the approval of the Home Secretary.

Sources also said that apart from the Home Secretary, the case would be registered with the approval of the provincial governments.