Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has constituted a high-powered committee, including federal ministers, heads of intelligence agencies, and DGs, to investigate the matter of audio leaks that has raised questions about the country’s integrity and stability.
Members of High-powered Committee
According to a notification issued by the Cabinet, the 12-membered High-powered to probe the issue of the audio leaks is comprised of Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah will lead the high-level committee, which comprises Minister of Law and Justice Azam Nazir Tarar, Minister for Climate Change Sherry Rehman, Minister for Communications Asad Mehmood, Minister for IT and Telecommunication Aminul Haque, director-general of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), director-general of Intelligence Bureau (IB) and the cabinet’s secretary. The co-opted members include; Technical experts from the Pakistan Telecom Authority, Federal Investigation Agency, ISI, and National Information Technology Board.
It should be noted that this is the second committee formed by the authorities, which compromises officials of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and Intelligence Bureau. The team has already debugged the PM House, restricted the movement of its staffers, and also banned them from carrying their mobile phones inside the building.
Committee to Suggest an Action Plan Improve Cybersecurity
According to the notification, the committee will review the existing cyber security protocols of the Prime Minister House/Office and suggest immediate measures and action plan to develop foolproof security systems and a digital eco-system that insulates the cyberspace of the PM Office/House from all kinds of intrusion (in seven days). The notification reads, “[The committee] will revisit existing e-safety and cybersecurity procedures and guidelines, broadly evaluate the existing capability and vulnerabilities of government departments and reassess the risks associated with various electronic gadgets such as tablets, smartphones, WiFi, and other cyber devices and suggest measures to develop the resilience of government offices against cyber-attacks.”
Also read: Investigation Bureau to Probe into PM Office Audio Leaks
