SC wants to know how many phone calls have been tapped by govt agencies

The case has been pending before the bench for last 18 years

ISLAMABAD: Hearing an 18 year old suo motu case, the Supreme Court on Wednesday sought a reply from the federal government under which law the government is tapping phone calls in the country.

A three judge bench of the apex court, headed by Justice Mian Saqib Nisar also asked the federal government to furnish details about the departments involved in eavesdropping in the country. The bench further asked the government to submit details regarding how many phone calls have been recorded by government agencies.

The suo moto notice, which was taken in 1996 by then Chief Justice Sajjad Ali Shah over the recording of phone calls by spy agencies, is still pending before the apex court.

During the hearing on Wednesday, Justice Nasir observed that the court wants to know under what law either a civilian institution or any other one, was tapping phone calls. He also pointed out that it is a significant matter as this was the primary reason behind the ouster of former PPP Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto’s regime in 1996.

The bench ordered the Deputy Attorney General Sajid Ilyas Bhatti to ascertain from intelligence agencies and other relevant departments that how many phones are being tapped.

The apex court made its intentions clear that it will also seek similar details from other law enforcement departments, including the police.

The hearing of case is adjourned for three weeks.

When the dismissal of PPP government was being heard, the counsel for former President Farooq Leghari had cited phone tappings of judges by the Bhutto regime as a major justification for her government’s ouster. A bug had also been discovered attached to the phone of then Chief Justice Sajjad Ali Shah.