Officials debate abolishing NTMC

Top government officials yesterday weighed whether the National Telecommunication Monitoring Centre, long criticised for allegedly enabling the former Awami League government's crackdown on dissent, should be abolished.

The issue surfaced as they discussed key clauses of the draft Bangladesh Telecommunication (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025 at a meeting chaired by Home Adviser Jahangir Alam at his ministry, according to at least three officials familiar with the matter.

Planning Adviser Wahiduddin Mahmud, Chief Adviser's Special Assistant Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, and senior officers from the police, Rab, BGB, Ansar, and other agencies were present.

NTMC's technology allows the state to tap any mobile phone in the country, a capability that drew fierce criticism during the AL's tenure over concerns of unaccountable surveillance.

The draft ordinance, prepared by the Posts and Telecommunications Division, raises the possibility of abolishing such an institution altogether.

Taiyeb, who holds the rank of state minister in the division, argued during the meeting that the NTMC should not continue.

He cited alleged unlawful activities by former army officer and NTMC chief Ziaul Ahsan, now under arrest for crimes against humanity.

According to meeting sources, Taiyeb said any phone tapping must require prior court approval.

But senior officers from multiple law enforcement agencies argued for keeping the NTMC or an equivalent body, the sources said.

One agency head questioned how they could obtain a court order at "2:00am in a national-security emergency".

Another argued that drug and smuggling interceptions often depend on immediate intelligence, which would be impossible without an institution like the NTMC.

Sources said more than 15 officers from different forces attended the meeting, and nearly all supported retaining the NTMC in some form. Taiyeb, however, held firm.

The home adviser also leaned toward keeping the NTMC, while the planning adviser urged further review, the sources said.

An official from the posts and telecom ministry said the draft ordinance will be sent to the Advisory Council for approval after another informal meeting today.

The meeting is also likely to consider whether the NTMC could be transformed into a research-focused body under a new name.