Karachi, 11 July - Pakistan's government has legally authorized the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), the military-run intelligence agency, to intercept telephones and mobile phones. This decision, reported by TRT World and Reuters, was confirmed by the country's Law Minister, Azam Nazim Tarar, on Wednesday (July 10).

Minister Tarar emphasized that the ISI's authority is limited to tracking the phones of criminals and individuals associated with terrorism, ensuring that the privacy of the general populace remains protected. He stated in parliament that the rule is crucial for national security and assured that any misuse of this authority would be met with action.

However, the decision has sparked controversy, with opposition parties, including Imran Khan's Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), expressing strong opposition. PTI leader Omar Ayub announced plans to challenge the legalization in court, arguing that the intelligence agency could potentially misuse this power against government legislators.

This move underscores the significant role of Pakistan's military in the country's politics, having been in power for nearly half of the time since its independence. The new rule is seen by some as a reinforcement of the military's influence in governmental affairs.