ISI officers allowed to tap calls for "national security"

The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication on Tuesday issued a notification granting authorisation to officers of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) to intercept calls and messages for "national security".

The intelligence officials were also allowed to trace calls through any telecommunication system, according to the notification. 

The move is aimed at "ensuring national security and preventing potential offenses".

According to the notification, officers above grade 18, nominated by the spy agency, will be empowered to exercise the authority under Section 54 of the Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-organisation) Act, 1996.

"In exercise of the powers conferred under section 54 of the Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-organisation) Act, 1996 (the Act), the Federal Government in the interest of national security and in the apprehension of any offence is pleased to authorise the officers not below the rank of grade 18 to be nominated from time to time by Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) to intercept calls and messages or to trace calls through any telecommunication system as envisaged under Section 54 of the Act," the notification read.

Experts said that the move is the government's efforts to enhance national security measures amid the wave of terrorism in the country.

Earlier in May, the Islamabad High Court said that no individual, entity or agency was authorised by the federal government to intercept calls, messages as well as to conduct surveillance of the citizens. 

The court added that carrying out or aiding the act was a punishable offence.