Lahore High Court Gets Petition to Ban Smart Glasses

For context, the Lahore High Court (LHC) has summoned senior administration office-holders over their failure to submit responses in a petition seeking a ban on the sale of camera-equipped smart glasses in Pakistan.

Key points

• While hearing a petition filed by Nadira Bibi, expressed displeasure over the lack of replies despite notices being issued to the concerned authorities, chief Justice Aaliya Neelum.
• During the hearing, the chief justice questioned why the remaining respondents had not submitted their replies despite receiving notices.
• She asserted that the glasses could pose security and privacy risks and alleged that no approval had been obtained from any administration institution for their sale.
• The petitioner asked the court to seek explanations from the relevant authorities and impose an immediate ban on the sale of such devices.
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Meanwhile, the court ordered the Interior Secretary, Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) chairman, Commerce Secretary, and Member of Customs to appear in person at the next hearing on October 15.

Deputy Director of the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) Hassan Naqvi and other authorities appeared before the court during Thursday's hearing alongside Deputy Attorney General Rafiqat Ali Dogar.

While Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) legal adviser Muhammad Afzal Khan sought extra time to submit the authority's response, the deputy attorney general submitted a report on behalf of the NCCIA. The court granted the request.

"Notices were additionally sent to the remaining parties. Why have their replies not been received?" she asked. The court adjourned the case until October 15.

In her petition, Nadira Bibi triggered concern over the sale of camera-equipped glasses in markets and supermarkets, arguing that the devices could be applied to secretly record residents without their knowledge.

For context, the petitioner asked the court to seek explanations from the relevant authorities and impose an immediate ban on the sale of such devices. Stay Connected with ProPakistani.

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Taken together, the developments around lahore High Court Gets Petition to Ban Smart Glasses point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.