Justice Babar Sattar of the Islamabad High Court has issued orders to halt telecom companies from recording phone calls and data for surveillance purposes.
During the proceedings, Justice Babar Sattar presided over the petitions filed by Bushra Bibi and Najamul Thaqib, son of a former Chief Justice, concerning the audio leaks case.
The court demanded clarity on the legal basis for the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority’s (PTA) surveillance activities, questioning the specific laws under which such actions were authorized.
When confronted by Justice Babar Sattar, Additional Attorney General Manoor Iqbal Dogal asserted that the surveillance activities were conducted within the bounds of the legal framework.
Justice Babar Sattar pressed for official disclosure regarding the authorization and oversight of citizen phone call recordings, emphasizing the necessity for transparency and adherence to legal procedures. He highlighted discrepancies in the government’s responses, pointing out contradictory reports submitted by various institutions, including the Prime Minister’s Office.
The court raised concerns about the absence of regulations governing surveillance activities and the lack of accountability mechanisms, inquiring about the formation of review committees and adherence to legal requirements.
Furthermore, Justice Babar Sattar questioned the telecom companies’ compliance with licensing conditions and policies regarding phone call recording and provision of data to authorities without judicial authorization, emphasizing potential legal repercussions.
The court also expressed dismay over the failure of investigative agencies to address the illegal recording and dissemination of audio leaks, urging authorities to take concrete actions and investigate the matter promptly.
Ultimately, the Islamabad High Court directed the Additional Attorney General to seek instructions from the federal government and provide comprehensive answers to the court’s inquiries.
Additionally, the court restrained telecom companies from engaging in unauthorized surveillance activities and demanded records of secretly recorded conversations from the federal government.