IHC seeks reply from attorney general on Saqib Nisar’s alleged leaked audio

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court on Monday sought a reply from the attorney general of Pakistan on a plea to probe the alleged audiotape of former chief justice of Pakistan Saqib Nisar.

The petition filed by President Sindh High Court Bar Salahuddin and Syed Hyder Imam Rizvi has requested IHC to constitute a commission comprising a retired judge, lawyer, journalist and members of the civil society to probe the audiotape that “hurt the dignity of the judiciary”.

During the hearing Chief Justice Islamabad High Court Justice Athar Minallah remarked that if the audio is correct, where is the original clip.

Justice Minallah further remarked that investigation on such audio clips would encourage others to bring such clip in court for investigation.

Justice Minallah remarked that first the court will issue a pre-admission notice to the attorney-general and talk about whether this application is admissible.

Read more: PML-N wants Saqib Nisar’s name on ECL, submits resolution in Punjab Assembly

“The court will not engage in judicial activism and will only consider the facts as they appear in light of the law. The court wants to ensure that this does not open new floodgates,” he observed.

Justice Athar Minallah asked the petitioner to explain how the plea is admissible.

“Against whom was the writ filed? Your application is related to the audio clip of the present serving CJP,” he said.

To this, the petitioner replied that the plea is related to the alleged audio clip of former CJP Justice (retd) Saqib Nisar and is not about the incumbent chief justice.

CJ IHC remarked that in our society social media is unregulated on the other side judiciary is facing significant challenges.

To this petitioner respond that leaked audio tape is under discussion on social media.

Read more: Former CJP Nisar rejects alleged leaked audio clip, terms it ‘fabricated’

Arguing over per-admission notice advocate Salahuddin Ahmed said that Pakistan Bar Council has approved a decision, and that if the court finds it necessary, it should also send a notice to the bar council.

Justice Athar Minallah remarked that you (Salahuddin) are upset with an audio clip. He asked that who has the authority to record Chief Justice Pakistan’s audio tapes. “Did the Bar Council released the audio tape or did a man sitting in the United States?” he asked.

CJ IHC remarked that parties involved in the audiotape haven’t shown interest to bring the matter in the court.

The court later adjourned the hearing for a week.