ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) Monday asked the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to submit a report on measures taken by the agency to curb grey communication networks in the country within a week.
On Sunday, notices were issued to the attorney general of Pakistan, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) chairman, the interior secretary, FIA DG and Intelligence Bureau (IB) DG after Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar took notice of the matter.
FIA DG Bashir Memon, along with IB Director General Dr Suleman Khan, was present for the hearing. A report was also submitted by FIA DG regarding action taken against grey traffic networks.
During the proceeding, Justice Nisar asked: “Are you aware of the seriousness of the issues?”
The FIA DG Bashir Memon informed the court that 291 illegal gateway exchanges have been caught and 390 people have been arrested so far. He added that around Rs3 billion have been recovered in the process.
“This is amount is nothing, more amount is being transferred outside the country through grey communication traffic networks,” remarked the CJP and added that his amount can be saved and donated to the dam fund.
Memon defended the efforts undertaken by the FIA and said, “We are doing a public service,” adding that cases of kidnapping for ransom are abetted by illegal grey networks.
The FIA DG informed the court a few cases have been resolved by the authority, however, the agency requires Pakistan Telecommunication Authority’s (PTA) help as well.
The article on which notice was taken was published in 2013, Justice Ijazul Ahsan remarked during the proceedings.
Hearing of the case was adjourned for 10 days.
