SC suspends order to form judicial panel on audio leaks
ISLAMABAD: In a significant development on Friday, the Supreme Court (SC) has halted the operations of the audio leaks investigation commission following the order issued on the petitions filed by ex-pm Imran Khan and others.
Thefive-membersupremecourtbench,headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial, delivered the decision, with Justice Ijazul Ahsan, Justice Muneeb Akhtar, Justice Shahid Waheed, and Justice Hasan Azhar Rizvi announced the verdict it had reserved earlier.
The petitions were moved by Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) President Abid Shahid Zuberi, SCBA Secretary Muqtedir Akhtar Shabbir, PTI Chairman Imran Khan represented by Babar Awan and Advocate Riaz Hanif Rahi who wanted the top court to declared the audio leak judicial commission as illegal.
The SC’S verdict, which effectively halts the commission’s work, raises questions about the future course of action regarding the investigation into the alleged audio leaks, as the commission has been tasked with uncovering the truth behind the leaked recordings.
The top court will resume the hearing of the petitions on May 31, the writen verdict read.
During the hearing, Bandial remarked how could the government use the judges of the SC for its interests.
Bandial remarked that the SC takes the judiciary’s independence very seriously. “We cannot abandon the principle of independence of the judiciary. Apparently, the formation of the commission is against Article 209. The government cannot form such a judicial commission. It’s wrong,” the top judge observed.
Justice Munib Akhtar remarked where the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) was when the purported audio tapes were leaked to the media. He wondered why no action was taken against those who released these purported tapes.
The judge further remarked, “The inquiry commission could not assume the judiciary’s authority. How the government can put Article 209 on the backburner. The government is trying to pit three judges against other judges which is deplorable.”