Government forms judicial panel to probe audio leaks
The commission will probe the genuineness of the audio leaks and their impact on judiciary; latest audio leak reveals Imran appealing to US for help: Report; federal cabinet backs military court trials
The federal government on Saturday formed a three-member judicial commission, led by Supreme Court (SC) senior judge Justice Qazi Faez Isa, to probe the veracity of audio leaks and their impact on the independence of the judiciary.
The commission includes Balochistan High Court (BHC) Chief Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan and Islamabad High Court (IHC) Chief Justice Aamer Farooq. However, the consent of the judges is yet to be taken.
The commission was formed under Section 3 of the Inquiry Commission Act 2017, which states that “whenever it is expedient to conduct an inquiry into any definite mater of public importance, the Federal Government may, by notification in the official Gazete, constitute a Commission of Inquiry in accordance with the provisions of this Act.”
The commission will probe the genuineness of the audio leaks and their impact on the independence of the judiciary.
Traditionally, the government requests the chief justice of Pakistan (CJP) to nominate a judge for the formation of the commission. However, a senior government official believes that there is no requirement in the law to get consent from the CJP.
Five audio leaks revolve around the CJP’S family. The superior bars have filed a complaint against apex court judge Justice Mazahar Ali Naqvi on account of his audio leak wherein he was talking to a former chief minister.
Earlier in May, the National Assembly passed a motion demanding the formation of a special parliamentary commitee to investigate the alleged audio leak of former Chief Justice Saqib Nisar’s son.
Since the start of the apex court’s suo motu proceedings over holding elections for two provincial assemblies within 90 days, some audio leaks purportedly involving Supreme Court judges and their family members have created quite a stir in the country’s political arena.
However, the top court has shown judicial restraint and refrained from initiating any separate proceeding to deal with the issue.
An alleged audio leak has come to the fore wherein a voice said to belong to former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan can be heard appealing to the US for help, media reported.
In the alleged audio, Imran can purportedly be heard seeking US Congresswoman help against an ongoing crackdown on his party workers and leaders.
The alleged audio leak featuring Imran and Moore Waters emerged on social media on Saturday wherein the former could be heard asking the American lawmakers to raise her against “human rights violation” in Pakistan.
In the 1.57 minutes-long audio leak, the PTI chairman briefed the US lawmakers about his ouster from power and subsequent crackdown on his party workers.
The federal cabinet has approved decisions taken in a National Security Commitee (NSC), wherein it was decided that the protesters who ransacked and vandalised military installations on May 9 would be tried under the Army Act and the Official Secrets Act.
The meeting, chaired by Prime Minister
Shahbaz Sharif at the Prime Minister House, gave approval for trying civilians in the military courts just days ater the NSC and the Corps Commanders’ Conference vowed to bring those behind the violent protests to justice, The Express Tribune reported.
On May 9, widespread protests broke out ater paramilitary Rangers arrested Pakistan Tehrik-e-insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan from the premises of the Islamabad High Court (IHC).
The protesters vandalised public and state properties and even atacked the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi and Lahore Corps Commander’s residence.
The rioting was followed by a harsh crackdown against the PTI leaders and workers that still continues, The Express Tribune reported.
A key cabinet minister while requesting anonymity told The Express Tribune that no new military courts would be established, saying the accused would be tried in the “special standing courts” that are already working under the military act.