Pakistan Grants ISI Authority Amidst Controversy

The Pakistani government has authorized the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) to intercept and trace calls and messages for national security purposes. This decision, granted under Section 54 of the Pakistan Telecommunication Act of 1996, has sparked significant controversy and opposition. Critics, including the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, argue that this move constitutes a severe invasion of privacy and lacks constitutional backing. A petition has been filed in the Lahore High Court challenging the authorization as unconstitutional. Meanwhile, the government insists that the measure is limited to tracking criminal and terrorist activities and will not infringe on citizens' privacy. Despite assurances, concerns remain about potential misuse and its impact on civil liberties.