The government has barred telecom companies from sharing information about lawful interception between the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and telecommunication operators with any individual, entity, or organization.
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Sources told that the Information Technology and Telecommunication Division approached the government to maintain confidentiality regarding operations, functions, and installations related to lawful interception.
The cabinet approved the policy directives in this regard.
Sources said that the Ministry of Telecommunication presented a summary at a cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. It was informed that, under Sections 8(2)(c) and 8(2A) read with Section 54(1) of the Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-organisation) Act, 1996, the federal government was required to issue policy directives to the PTA.
The ministry stated that the policy directives should ensure all communication and information regarding operations, functions, and installations related to lawful interception between the PTA and telecommunication operators remain confidential.
“PTA shall ensure that no information regarding lawful interception is shared with any unauthorized person,” the ministry said. The Information Technology and Telecommunication Division stated that the PTA should issue necessary instructions to telecommunication operators and service providers to implement the policy directives.
Cabinet members voiced concerns over the policy directives to keep the information confidential.
In response to these concerns, it was clarified that the directives ensure the cabinet had acknowledged the interceptions and sought to ensure compliance with the law, as provided in the Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-organisation) Act, 1996.
It was stated that through the policy directives, a legal mechanism was being introduced to regulate existing provisions under the Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-organisation) Act, 1996.
It was added that the federal government’s policy directives would authorize the PTA to handle and regulate such requests in accordance with the law.
As required under Rule 16(1)(1) of the Rules of Business, 1973, the federal cabinet’s approval was sought for the issuance of these policy directives to the PTA.
The cabinet considered the summary titled “Policy directive under Section 8(2)(C) and Section 8(2A) read with Section 54(1) of the Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-Organisation) Act, 1996 to maintain confidentiality for provision of information regarding operations, functions and installations related to lawful interception” dated May 21, 2024, submitted by the Information Technology and Telecommunication Division and approved the proposal.
