Pakistan National Assemble has passed a contentious bill that authorizes the security
and intelligence agencies to intercept private communication of any Pakistani as a part of fight against terrorism.
This bill is called ‘Fair Trial Act, 2012’, that was approved earlier by NA Standing Committee on Law and Justice has already been approved by cabinet and now awaits Senate’s endorsement to be a law.
Under this bill any form of communication including phone calls from both landline and mobile, SMS, email, IP record, websites and online chatting will be monitored from now.
Earlier this bill was opposed by PML(N) and MQM on certain grounds but later their consent was obtained after including certain amendments from each party.
The bill is facing criticism from society as it is being feared that it will violate basis freedom of citizen. Whereas, Government justifies is stance that it needs a way to deal with latest communication technology that is being used by terrorists.
Under the new law, suspect will be held for six months after a warrant issued by high court of the province on the request of head of security and intelligence agencies.
