Pakistan empowers its top intelligence agency ISI to trace phone calls

The federal government has authorized the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) to trace phone calls and messages.

According to the details, the federal cabinet has given permission to ISI officers for phone tapping to deal with national security concerns. Under the notification, phone tapping will be allowed to officers above grade 18. Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) officers can also intercept calls.

ISI officers were also empowered to trace calls. To strengthen national security, the federal government has authorized officers to intercept and trace calls under Section 54 of the PTA Act, 1996.

The notification issued by the Ministry of Information Technology and Communications added the government allowed ISI officers of grade 18 and above to conduct phone tapping, tracing and interception. This measure has been taken to prevent possible crimes.