Telecom firms barred from sharing information

The government has barred telecom companies from sharing information with any individual, entity or organisation about lawful interception between the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and the operators of telecommunication systems. Sources told The Express Tribune that the Information Technology and Telecommunication Division had approached the government to maintain confidentiality for the provision of information regarding operations, functions and installations related to lawful interception. The cabinet approved the policy directives in that regard. Sources said that the Ministry of Telecommunication had tabled a summary before a cabinet meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, which was informed that in exercise of powers conferred under Sections 8(2)(c) and 8(2A) read with Section 54(1) of the Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-organisation) Act, 1996, policy directives were required to be issued by the federal government to the PTA.