The Islamabad High Court has not got any answers to its series of relevant questions about the audio leaks which have convulsed the nation’s political scene at regular intervals. The petitions being considered were moved by Mts Bushra Imran, the wife of the PTI Chairman, and Najamus Saqib, the son of former Chief Justice of Pakistan, Mr Justice Saqib Nisar. Mr Justice Babar Sattar was hearing the case as a single bench of the IHC, observed that it had not been determined who had ordered the recordings, nor who had released them.
The leaks have usually shown political figures in a poor light. The audio clip leaked of Mrs Khan showed her discussing with Zulfi Bokhari, a former PM’s Adviser, the sale of watches from the Toshakhana, which caused one of the most damaging cases around PTI chief Imran Khan, indeed one leading to his first conviction by sn anti-corruption court, which led to his imprisonment. Mr Najsmus Saqib was recorded discussing the sale of a PTI ticket to the Punjab Assembly (for the election yet to be held). Mr Justice Sattar observed that there was a need for a legal framework for official tapping to be carried out. He noted that no one was willing to take responsibility for the leaks in question, let alone who had made them public.
The coyness about who was doing the leaking indicated that they could not have been done on judicial orders, as prescribed by law. However, the ability to carry out such tapping is limited to certain official agencies, and the denial by the Defence Ministry of any knowledge, indicates that a number of intelligence agencies have been placed out of the running. However, the possibility of any rogue individuals using the equipment available, cannot be ruled out. Has the lack of oversight been exploited by certain unscrupulous individuals? The answer has not been made clear, and the possibility is disturbing. Unless the individuals responsible are identified, it will be impossible for the practice to be stopped. It should not be forgotten that the leaks included recordings of conversations in the Prime Minister’s Office, both of Mr Khan and his successor, Mr Shehbaz Sharif. There have been rumours of the culprit being caught, but the fact that the matter is still being kept under wrasps provides the nation no assurance that ecurity has been re-established.
