LAHORE: The Federal government’s decision to grant the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) the authority to intercept phone calls and messages was challenged in the Lahore High Court (LHC).
As per details, a petition filed by citizen Fahad Shabbir on Wednesday, lists the PM Shehbaz, the federal government, and the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) among its respondents.
The petition claims that a notification issued by the government permits the ISI to intercept and trace citizens’ phone calls, despite the of absence established rules under the PTA Act’s relevant section.
The petition argues that the move is a violation of citizens’ privacy and freedom of expression, as guaranteed by the Constitution, requesting the court to declare the notification null and void.
Earlier, rhe Federal government authorized Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) officials to intercept calls and messages or to trace calls through any telecommunication system.
The federal cabinet has authorized an intelligence agency under section 54 of the Pakistan Telecommunication Act, 1996 in the interest of national security and the apprehension of any offence. The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication has issued a gazette notification to this effect.