Govt announces high-level committee to probe PM House audio leaks; ISI, IB DGs included

Islamabad: The coalition government Tuesday announced the constitution of a high-level committee to investigate the audio tapes leaked from the Prime Minister's House.

Director-General of the Inter-Services Intelligence (DG ISI) and Intelligence Bureau (DG IB) have been included in the committee, a notification from the Cabinet Division said.

Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah will head the committee, with members including federal ministers Sherry Rehman, Asad Mehmood, Aminul Haque, and Azam Nazeer Tarrar.

Cabinet Division's secretary, DG ISI or his representative, DG IB, National Telecommunication and Information Security Board's secretary, and technical experts from Pakistan Telecommunication Authority, Federal Investigation Agency, and ISI will also be included in the committee. 

The committee has been tasked to oversee and review the investigation into the cyber security breach and ensure that it covers all important aspects of the matter. It has also been asked to suggest measures to improve the protocols within seven days.

The group will also revisit the existing e-safety and cyber security procedures; broadly evaluate the existing capacity and vulnerabilities of government departments; reassess the risks associated with various electronic gadgets, and suggest measures to develop the resilience of government offices against cyber-attacks within 15 days, the notification said.

In particular, it has been asked to submit short and medium-term recommendations for securing the sensitive data and information technology environment of important ministries and offices of strategic importance in the next 15 days.

"[The committee will] prepare a draft legal framework for developing a robust and secure cyber ecosystem that ensures seamless cyber security of government offices," the notification said.

The committee has been directed to complete the aforementioned tasks in the prescribed time duration, the notification said.