Lahore High Court Challenges Government’s Authority to Allow ISI to Tap Phones

The Lahore High Court has taken up a challenge against the government’s decision to grant the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) the authority to tap phones. A petition filed by citizen Fahad Shabir names the Prime Minister, federal government, and Pakistan Telecommunication Authority among others.
The petition argues that Pakistan has issued a notification permitting ISI to tap phones without establishing rules under Section 56 of the Pakistan Telecommunication Act, which safeguards citizens’ privacy and freedom of expression as per the constitution.
It also cites the Indian Supreme Court’s stance that phone tapping violates the law. The court has instructed the government to refrain from implementing the notification until a final decision is made, urging the government to formulate rules under Section 56 of the PTA.