Pakistan Allows ISI to Monitor Calls for National Security

The Pakistan government has given permission to the country’s spy agency, Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), to monitor calls and messages to prevent national security threats. This decision was reported by Geo News.

Details of the Authorization

The cabinet has allowed a designated officer of the ISI to trace calls under Section 54 of the Telecommunication (Re-organization) Act 1996. The officer must be of at least grade 18. Section 54 allows the government to authorize any person to intercept calls and messages through any telecommunication system for national security.

The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication issued a notification stating that ISI can nominate officers to intercept calls for the nation’s security.

Prime Minister’s Recent Actions

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s government has recently taken steps to impose stricter social media regulations, citing national security concerns. On May 9, Sharif approved amendments to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016, aimed at regulating social media.

The approved draft includes the establishment of the Digital Rights Protection Agency (DRPA) under the PECA Act of 2024. The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunications will be responsible for implementing the DRPA, which will investigate social media law breaches and take actions against offenders.