Parliamentary reporter Dawn TV + Daily Dawn
ISLAMABAD: The federal government has permitted the ISI to listen to or trace the phone calls of citizens.
The ISI will also have the power to intercept or trace citizens’ phone calls as well as messages. The Cabinet approved the summary of the decision through circulation. According to the summary, the decision has been taken given the apprehension of a crime in the interest of national security.
The cabinet decision said that the agency’s designated officer would have the authority to intercept or trace the phone call. The agency will not be able to depute an officer below grade 18 for this job. The Cabinet has authorized the nomination under Section 54 of the Pakistan Telecommunication Act, 1996.
PTA has started implementing the order after the gazette notification was issued to authorize the secret agency to intercept phone calls of suspects. PTA has issued a copy of the notification to all mobile phone operators. PTA directed all the license holders to ensure the implementation of the notification. The federal government has been given the authority to intercept and trace phone calls given national security.
