ISLAMABAD: Members of PBC have challenged the PML-N government’s decision to allow ISI to intercept calls of citizens and messages in the IHC.

Six PBC members (Shafqat Mehmood Chauhan, Abid Shahid Zuberi, Chaudhry Ishtiaq Ahmed Khan, Munir Ahmed Kakar, Tahir Fraz Abbasi, and Abid Saqi) have asked the court to declare the notification null and void.

It may be recalled that in exercise of the powers conferred under Section 54 of the Pakistan Telecommunication Act 1996, the IT Ministry has officially allowed ISI to intercept and trace calls in the interest of national security.

IT Ministry notification, issued on Monday (8th July, 2024), says: “Federal government in the interest of national security and in the apprehension of any offence, is pleased to authorize 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.”

Newspakistan.tv