AUDIO LEAKS CASE: IHC EXPRESSES DISPLEASURE OVER ABSENCE OF GOVERNMENT OFFICERS
SENIOR officers of two government institutions did not appear in the audio leaks case before the court on Monday despite the court order. The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has summoned the directors general (DG) of the Intelligence Bureau (IB) and
Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) in connection with an audio leaks case but they didn’t appear before the court.
Justice Babar Sattar of IHC heard the case of audio leaks. The court has also summoned the Chairman of Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and representatives of telecom companies, they also remained absent. DG IB, FIA, chairman PTA, and chairman PEMRA didn’t appear before the court in audio leaks case for which the court expressed resentment.
Justice Babar Sattar remarked on the absence of officers, arguing how the government officer could decide on his own to remain absent from the case hearing, and also hinted towards issuing arrest warrants against the officers. The government lawyer stated that DG FIA couldn’t appear in the court due to illness while deputy director general has appeared in the court in the absence of DG IB. Director Waqaruddin Syed appeared in the court representing the FIA. The court later adjourned the case hearing for two weeks. IHC has also ordered the representatives of PFUJ along with CPNE to present before the court. The unlawfully recorded telephone conversation was disseminated through electronic media and covered in print media. Justice Babar Sattar would also heard the pleas of former Chief
Justice of Pakistan Saqib Nisar’s son Najam Saqib and Bushra Bibi. Alleged audio leaks of Najam Saqib with his accomplice Mian Uzair regarding the trade of PTI ticket had made waves on the social media. In the first audio talk, Mr Najam could be heard talking to Abuzar Chaddar, PTI candidate from PP137, wherein he was instructing Mr Chaddar to call on his father Mr Nisar after getting the ticket.