Filed by citizen Fahad Shabbir on Wednesday, the petition names Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the federal government, and the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) as respondents.
The expanded powers granted to the ISI have come shortly after a high court judge criticized the “criminal act” of phone surveillance, igniting widespread condemnation over fears of power abuse and the infringement of fundamental rights.
The petition filed in the LHC cites a ruling from the Indian Supreme Court, which deemed phone tapping a violation of constitutional rights. The petition requests the court to annul the notification and halt its enforcement until a final decision is made. Additionally, it urges the government to formulate rules under Section 56 of the PTA Act.
