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Govt Authorizes Premier Intelligence Agency To Intercept Calls, Message Under Law: NA Told
Muhammad Irfan Published July 09, 2024 | 09:35 PM
Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar on Tuesday informed the National Assembly that the government authorized the country’s premier intelligence agency to intercept calls and messages or trace a call in the interest of national security or in apprehension of a crime under section 54 of the Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-organization) Act, 1996
ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 9th Jul, 2024) Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar on Tuesday informed the National Assembly that the government authorized the country’s premier intelligence agency to intercept calls and messages or trace a call in the interest of national security or in apprehension of a crime under section 54 of the Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-organization) Act, 1996.
Responding to a point raised by leader of the opposition in the National Assembly Omar Ayub Khan, the minister said that it was not a new law rather it came into force since 1996 and further reshaped its section 54 of Pakistan Telecommunication re-organization Act 1996.
He said no previous successive governments including of Pervez Musharraf’s martial law changed this provision and still it was intact.
He quoted the section 54 of the Act which says,“ Notwithstanding anything contained in any law for the time being in force, in the interest of national security or in the apprehension of any offence, the Federal Government may authorize any person or persons to intercept calls and messages or to trace calls through any telecommunication systemâ€.
The minister said that the government from time to time issued notifications in this regard. Many incidents like assassination of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto, DIG Mobeen etc took place and culprits involved in such heinous crimes were intercepted through calls interception by the intelligence agencies under the said law.
Earlier, speaking in the House Omar Ayub said that the government has issued SRO empowering the intelligence agency to trace, intercept calls and messages.
He said the commissioner Islamabad also cancelled non objection certificate issued to PTI for holding public gathering on pretext of Muharram ul Haram which was a tantamount to a contempt of court.
APP/raz-sra
