The caretaker government has informed the Islamabad High Court of the existence of a legal system for monitoring the phone conversations of citizens.
However, it intentionally avoids involvement in the sensitive day-to-day operations and vital functions performed by intelligence services for the benefit of the nation.
A national newspaper has revealed that Dr. Syed Tauqir Shah, the caretaker principal secretary to the Prime Minister, sent the government’s written response during the hearing of the audio leak case. The government emphasized that the Prime Minister’s office expects intelligence agencies to operate within the boundaries of the law and the constitution.
When asked about the intelligence agency with the technological capability to monitor and record telephone conversations, Dr. Tauqir Shah declined to provide information. He claimed that discussing the operational specifics and inner workings of intelligence organizations would be against the national interest. The foundation for authorizing the recording of citizens’ phone calls is provided under the Investigation for Fair Trial Act of 2013, which was also addressed in the written response. Furthermore, it emphasized the importance of protecting the privacy of these recordings and guarding against leaks. Additionally, a method for obtaining authorized telegraphs and message interception is outlined in the Telegraph Act of 1885.
It should be noted, however, that authorization from the federal or provincial governments is required for its execution. The secretary informed the IHC that a high-level inquiry commission has been established to determine the responsible parties in the audio leaks case. The commission’s task is to investigate the legitimacy of the leaked conversations, and it comprises senior judges. It is important to mention that the son of former Chief Justice Saqib Nisar and the wife of former Prime Minister Imran Khan have filed a court case in opposition to the summons issued by a parliamentary committee and the Federal Investigation Agency regarding the audio leaks.
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