ISLAMABAD: Directing PTA chairman to attend next hearing date, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday adjourned proceedings on petitions against audio leaks pertaining to former prime minister’s wife Bushra Bibi and former chief justice Saqib Nisar’s son Najam Saqib till March 14.
Justice Babar Sattar heard the case. Irfan Qadir appeared before the court on behalf of Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA).
Counsel for PTA Irfan Qadir, while opening the arguments, told the court that as per request of the petitioners, the case had become ineffective and the same should be disposed of.
Justice Babar Sattar remarked that there were two separate petitions before the court and inquired from the lawyer that where the PTA chairman was? To which the lawyer replied that the PTA chairman was in Barcelona and he would return in three or four days.
Qadir further said that PTA was facing some legal obstacles. Justice Babar Sattar remarked that first PTA had said that there was no legal interference. Should he withdraw his reply he submitted to court earlier? On this, the PTA officials said they had not said anything like that.
Later, Justice Babar Sattar said the chairman was ordered to submit his affidavit.
“First the PTA gave some other answer, now they are saying something else, did the chairman submit his affidavit,” he argued.
“I have been the lawyer of PTA. I know that there is statutory interference. It is not possible for telephone operators to tell a lie in the court. PTA has submitted a reply that there was no statutory interference. Why PTA is embarrassing itself by taking this stance,” he remarked.
Justice Sattar asserted that the PTA had to take the matter in some direction and decide the case.
Lawyer Qadir argued that the FIA had not given permission to anyone for taping audios. There is a certain mechanism for this.
The IHC summoned the PTA chairman on the next date of hearing on March 14 and adjourned proceedings.
