The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has summoned the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) chairman in the audio leak case after his counsel denied that the regulatory body had given permission for call interception. The case involves petitions filed by Najam Saqib, son of former chief justice Saqib Nisar, and Bushra Bibi, spouse of former prime minister Imran Khan. The petitioners challenged inquiries initiated against them based on an alleged audio leak that went viral on social media and was later broadcast in the national media. During the hearing, the directors general of Intelligence Bureau (IB) and Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) appeared before Justice Babar Sattar of the IHC. The PTA chairman’s counsel, Advocate Irfan Qadir, informed the court that his client was currently in Barcelona on an official visit and would return in three to four days. Despite earlier claims by a PTA official that there was a provision for call interception in the legal framework, Advocate Qadir clarified that the PTA did not give permission for this. Due to inconsistencies in the authority’s statements, Justice Sattar questioned the PTA’s credibility and whether the chairman had complied with an order to submit an affidavit clarifying their position. The judge then summoned the PTA chairman to appear in person before the court on March 14. The court also asked IB DG Fuad Asadullah to explain the procedure for legal interception and inquire about measures to protect citizens’ privacy. The IB DG stated that intelligence agencies have a primary responsibility to monitor enemies of the state but requested to discuss details in chamber. The proceedings were adjourned until March 14.