The government said telcos shouldn’t share details about PTA’s lawful interceptions. This is to keep these operations secret. The IT & Telecom Division recommended this to the government. Now, according to the news, the cabinet agreed to the ban.
During a recent cabinet meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, they stressed that all details about lawful interceptions must be kept secret.
The cabinet said yes to new rules. These rules say the PTA must stop people who shouldn’t get to listen in on calls. The telecom boss will tell local phone companies to follow these rules.
These new rules let the PTA handle requests to listen to calls the right way. The federal cabinet said okay, following the Rules of Business, 1973. They want to keep all call info secret.
IHC Questions Legality of Phone Call Recordings from Telcos
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) said telecom companies can’t record phone calls and data for spying. The court also asked about the law that lets PTA do spying.
Justice Babar Sattar asked the government for records of secret conversations. The Additional Attorney General, Munawar Iqbal, must answer the court’s questions.
Justice Babar asked which law allows phone call recordings. The AAG said it’s done legally.
Before, the court was told no one could tap phone calls. Justice Babar said if the government changes this, there will be problems.
The AAG said his earlier answer was only about the leaked audios. Justice Babar was worried that institutions didn’t tell the truth in court.
He asked who makes rules and tells institutions about them. He wanted to know if there are committees for secret recordings.
Justice Babar also asked if recording calls without court permission is against the law. He wondered if PTA’s rules cover these things.
He criticized no action taken and how to trace social media posts. Justice Babar was upset that FIRs weren’t filed.
To read our blog on “FBR directs PTA & Telcos to block 0.5M non-filers’ SIM cards,” click here.