2024-07-11 10:08:35
Islamabad: In Pakistan, the army and ISI have control over the government as well as the public. ISI has been given a big power. Under this, it can intercept any phone call. The government of Pakistan on Tuesday formally granted its intelligence agency Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) the power to trace and intercept phone calls for national security. The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication issued a notification to this effect under the Pakistan Telecommunication (Reorganization) Act, 1996. The notification said, ‘Using the powers conferred under Section 54 … the federal government is pleased to allow officers of grade-18 rank or above to be designated from time to time by the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) to intercept phone calls and messages or trace phone calls through any telecommunication system in the interest of national security and on apprehension of any crime.’
Imran Khan’s party flared up
Sources said the notification was issued after Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif’s government formally decided at the cabinet level to allow the ISI to trace and record phone calls. Reacting to the new powers given to the ISI, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party leader Umar Ayub Khan said the government and allies should know that the same action will be taken against their leaders once they are out of power.
Pakistan is building a firewall
Earlier in May, Shahbaz Sharif also approved a draft to amend the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016. It suggested the establishment of a Digital Rights Protection Authority. According to media reports, the government is setting up a national firewall on various Internet service providers to control social media. It will have filters that will prevent many contents from reaching the people.