PTI Plans Legal Challenge Against Government’s Phone Tapping Authorization

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has announced its intent to challenge the government’s notification granting Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) the authority to intercept and trace calls under the pretext of national security. The party has decided to take legal action against phone tapping authorization.

Earlier today, the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication issued SRO 1005 (I)/2024, authorizing ISI to tap phone conversations, citing Section 54 of the Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-organisation) Act, 1996.

Opposition Leader Omar Ayub Khan criticized the move, calling phone tapping a sign of authoritarianism and potential misuse against political figures and media personnel, including Bilawal Bhutto, Asif Zardari, and Maryam Nawaz.

Ayub Khan, representing PTI, vowed to challenge the constitutionality of the SRO in court through his legal counsel, Dr. Babar Awan, arguing that it violates fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution.

The government defended its action, asserting that the authorization is crucial for national security and the prevention of offenses, assigning ISI officers of grade 18 or higher to carry out interceptions and tracing of calls.

What is Phone Tapping?

Wiretapping, also known as wire tapping or phone tapping, is the monitoring of telephone and Internet-based conversations by a third party. The wire tap received its name because, historically, the monitoring connection was an actual electrical tap on an analog telephone or telegraph line.

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