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Islamabad (Daily Pakistan Online) The Supreme Court of Pakistan has taken a significant step in addressing the contentious issue of phone tapping, with a 7-member constitutional bench headed by Justice Aminuddin Khan hearing a case related to the matter. During the proceedings, Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar inquired about the existence of legislation governing phone tapping, prompting the Additional Attorney General to reveal that a law has been in place since 2013, outlining a procedure for phone tapping and judicial supervision.
However, Justice Mazhar expressed concerns that the law only permits a judge to grant permission for phone tapping, questioning whether any judge had been notified for this purpose. Justice Jamal Mandokhel concurred, describing the law on phone tapping as “vague.” The head of the constitutional bench, Justice Aminuddin Khan, emphasized that the court seeks results, rather than mere reports or laws.
In a related development, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) has also remarked that the current practices of phone tapping in the country are illegal, as there is no legal framework governing this activity. Justice Babar Sattar made this observation while presiding over petitions challenging alleged audio leaks involving former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s spouse, Bushra Bibi, and Najam Saqib, the son of retired Chief Justice of Pakistan Saqib Nisar.
The IHC’s remarks underscore the need for clarity and transparency in the laws governing phone tapping, ensuring that individual rights are protected while national security concerns are addressed. As the Supreme Court’s constitutional bench continues to hear the case, the nation awaits a definitive verdict on this critical issue.
