Islamabad High Court’s Justice Babar Sattar recently issued a written court order stating that no state official is authorized to surveil citizens, with anyone doing so being liable for offenses. The order came during a hearing on petitions filed by Bushra Bibi and Najam Saqib against alleged audio leaks. The judge dismissed requests for recusal and criticized attempts to intimidate the court.
The court also issued contempt notices to officials for seeking recusal. The order highlighted the breach of citizens’ fundamental rights and banned unauthorized surveillance by intelligence agencies and telecom companies.
During the hearing, Justice Sattar questioned government officials on the legality of surveillance and emphasized the need for rules and regulations. He also ordered the government to report on surveillance activities and the legality of past phone tapping incidents.
Overall, the court order emphasizes the importance of upholding citizens’ privacy rights and ensuring lawful surveillance practices. It calls for accountability and transparency in surveillance activities, setting a precedent for future cases.\
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