ISLAMABAD: Following leak of a latest audio clip on Tuesday, former chief justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar said that his patience and silence should not be misconstrued as ‘weakness’ and termed the leakage of the audio clip “theft”, questioning its authenticity.
Earlier, a purported audio leak involving former chief justice Saqib Nisar and lawyer Khawaja Tariq Raheem emerged. The latest leaks added to the controversy already stirred up by a leaked phone call between the mother-in-law of the incumbent top judge of the Supreme Court and the latter’s wife.
The audio clip was — purportedly of a conversation between him and PTI legal adviser Khawaja Tariq Rahim regarding a high-profile case currently being heard by the Supreme Court.
The ex-Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice (r) Mian Saqib Nisar reacted to the alleged audio leak and said that his patience and silence should not be mistaken for his weakness.
Mian Saqib Nisar said in a statement that he has the legal right to take action against those who leaked the audio of his private conversation.
“It is an illegal and unconstitutional act to record a private conversation of any citizen. What are they trying to get in return by recording a private conversation between individuals? These people are shattering the Constitution, law and moral values.”
He further said that the wrong deeds of some people cannot be covered by tapping someone’s private conversations. “Khawaja Tariq Raheem is a senior lawyer and my friend. He sought legal advice from me which I gave him. I did not know for whom he was getting my opinion.”
“I am an independent citizen now. I am neither the chief justice nor part of any bench. If someone is seeking my legal opinion then I would definitely give it. I give legal consultancy without any charges to the people at my son’s office.”
The former CJP questioned what message they are giving to the young generation by tapping into someone’s private conversation. He added that the use of tapped private conversations for blackmailing is a serious crime.
In the alleged audio clip, Nisar discusses the judgement of a seven-member bench on a “suo motu” notice taken by the apex court in 2010 with Raheem and asks him to investigate the matter.
The former top judge is heard describing the details of the judgment and stating that it provides a “way out” for them.
The conversation also touches on the removal of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Sardar Tanveer Ilyas as the prime minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir over contempt of court.
Raheem mentions plans to file another contempt case, to which Nisar suggests filing one against Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif through Muneer Ahmed.
In the video, Raheem mentions that a verdict by the three-member bench regarding the case of clipping the top justice’s powers will be issued soon. An eight-member bench had previously issued a stay on the case.
The three-member bench has ordered the government to release Rs21 billion by April 27 for snap polls and warned of serious consequences for non-compliance with the order.
‘Mian Saqib Nisar has gone too far in Nawaz Sharif’s enmity’
Defense Minister Khawaja Asif Tuesday declared that Saqib Nisar has gone too far in rivalry with Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N)’s supremo Nawaz Sharif.
Khawaja Asif wrote on his tweeter account, “Saqib Nisar Sahib! You have gone too far in Nawaz Sharif’s enmity.”
In Twitter statement regarding the alleged audio leak of former Chief Justice Of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar and lawyer Khawaja Tariq Rahim, the Defense Minister said, “Mian Saqib Sahib, listening to your audio, it is very sad. You went too far in Nawaz Sharif’s enmity.”
Kh Asif further said that 14/15 years ago, Saqib Nisar narrated two reservations to him regarding Nawaz and Shahbaz Sharif, which were completely baseless, assuring that can tell the truth to the media.
Addressing the former chief justice, he said that he took revenge on Nawaz Sharif, and sentenced him. How long will he keep this poison now?
Marriyum regrets ‘judicial bias’
Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb on Tuesday expressed disapproval of what she viewed as “judicial bias” in some high-profile cases.
“Wives, mothers-in-law, children and Dam Baba vs Constitution of Pakistan…competition is tough and time is running out,” she said in a tweet.
Marriyum also posted a short video along with tweet which showed that the scales of justice tilted towards one side.
Her remarks came in backdrop of an alleged leaked phone call between former chief justice of Pakistan Saqib Nisar and a lawyer of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf.
Tarar voices for transparency to ensure rule of law
Federal Minister for Law Azam Nazeer Tarar on Tuesday said the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) believed in the supremacy of law and the constitution and wanted transparency in all matters as it was utmost necessary for ensuring rule of law in the country.
Addressing a press conference flanked by SAPM Malik Ahmed Khan here, he said that peoples’ confidence in the national institutions could be ensured through transparency.
Parliament being the legislature and supreme institution of the country, was mandated to make legislation as per the constitution, he said and added that Practice and Procedure Act was passed by the upper and lower houses of the Parliament by using its constitutional right, however a ruling was given to stop the act before its imposition.
He said the Parliament and the political fora were the right place to discuss political matters. In the past, courts have tried to avoid questions being raised on political matters, Tarar said, adding when political matters were taken to court, it only harmed the country and the nation.
Tarar said that an audio leak between former chief justice Saqib Nisar and the PTI lawyer Khawaja Tariq Rahim had raised questions as various political matters and cases which were in the courts had been discussed in the audio tape. The conversation in the audio leak was aimed to create rifts among the institutions and to further deepen the prevailing crisis, he alleged. The country was passing through a tough situation, whereas, the audio leak was referring to further intensify it.
Matters pertaining to future were discussed in the call, he said adding that the perception regarding ousting of prime minister of elected PML-N government in 2016-17 was getting strengthened that it was pre-planned.
SAPM Malik Ahmed Khan said that interpretation of the constitution was a right and duty of the courts, however, they could not rewrite the constitution. He said various powers were abundantly misused in the courts including the suo moto powers particularly in political matters.
He said the PML-N was never afraid of going into elections, however, it wanted a level playing field for everyone so that no one could raise questions over the conduct of elections and their transparency.
