The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication has granted Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) the authority to intercept and trace calls, citing it as a necessity in the interest of national security. According to a notification issued on Monday, the authorization has been provided under Section 54 of the Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-organisation) Act, 1996.
The notification issued by the ministry reads, “In exercise of the powers conferred under Section 54, the federal government in the interest of national security and in the apprehension of any offence, is pleased to authorise the officers not below the rank of grade 18 to be nominated from time to time by the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) to intercept calls and messages or to trace calls through any telecommunication system as envisaged under Section 54 of the Act.”
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This development comes in the wake of a case related to audio leaks, where it was indicated in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) that no intelligence agency was permitted to tap audio conversations. Attorney General for Pakistan (AGP) Mansoor Usman Awan informed the high court during the hearing of a petition filed by ex-premier Imran Khan’s spouse Bushra Bibi, who sought action against a leaked conversation allegedly featuring her and PTI leader Latif Khosa.
On December 6, the former first lady approached the IHC, alleging that the recording breached the right to dignity and privacy ensured by Article 14 of the Constitution. The application, filed in the IHC through Khosa, cited the principal secretary to the prime minister and secretaries of defense and interior as respondents. This decision raises important questions about the balance between national security and the right to privacy, and could spark further debate and legal challenges on the matter, highlighting the need for more discussion.
