ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP) has halted the Islamabad High Court (IHC) from taking further action regarding the audio leaks involving former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s wife, Bushra Bibi, and Najamul Saqib, the son of former Chief Justice of Pakistan, Saqib Nisar.
The SCP took up the audio leaks case at the request of the federal government, with Justice Aminuddin Khan and Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan presiding as part of the Apex Court bench.
The court accepted the federal government’s appeals for hearing and restrained the IHC from proceeding further. Notices were issued to Bushra Bibi and Najamul Saqib.
The court suspended the IHC orders from May 29 and June 25, instructing the IHC not to move forward with the case related to the audio leaks. The Court noted that the IHC’s orders from May 29 and June 25 appeared to exceed its authority, as it does not possess suo motu powers.
The Apex Court also called for the records of the audio leaks case.
During the hearing, Justice Aminuddin Khan inquired if the High Court had determined who was responsible for recording the audio. The Additional Attorney General responded that this has yet to be determined and that the investigation is ongoing. Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan remarked that, unfortunately, no one seems interested in uncovering the truth in the country.
Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan noted that an inquiry commission was formed to uncover the truth, but the Supreme Court issued a stay order on it. He further observed that the audio leaks case has not been rescheduled in the Supreme Court to date. When Parliament attempted to uncover the truth, it was also stopped. “If neither Parliament nor the Supreme Court is allowed to function, how will the truth come out?” the judge questioned.
Justice Aminuddin Khan suggested that perhaps those involved in the conversation leaked the audio themselves. “Has this aspect been investigated? Nowadays, every mobile has a recording system,” he pointed out.
It should be noted that the federal government had challenged the IHC’s June 25 order in the Supreme Court regarding the audio leaks involving Bushra Bibi and Najamul Saqib.
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