Pakistan's Former Minister Fawad Chaudry - Image source TRT world
In light of recent events, the PTI has reiterated its demand for a thorough inquiry into the audio tapes that have surfaced, purportedly containing private telephonic conversations of prominent individuals. The party has called upon the Supreme Court to take cognizance of these leaks and initiate an investigation.
A series of audio leaks have been making rounds on social media platforms in recent times, featuring key figures from the government and the opposition. Some of the notable personalities heard in the clips include the Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, PTI Chairman Imran Khan, PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz, among others.
The content of these recordings, which appear to be casual and unguarded conversations, has raised serious concerns about the security of government offices, particularly the Prime Minister’s Office. The leaked conversations could potentially compromise sensitive information and put national security at risk.
On the contrary, the PTI had submitted a petition to the Supreme Court, urging an investigation into the leaked audio recordings. In addition, former Prime Minister Imran Khan had written a letter to Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial and other SC judges, calling for the protection of fundamental rights of the public, including the right to privacy enshrined in Article 14 of the Constitution.
Today, a new audio clip allegedly featuring the mother-in-law of a top SC judge and the wife of a PTI lawyer discussing a high-profile case being heard in the apex court was released on social media. However, the authenticity of the clip has not been independently verified, and the timing of the alleged audio remains unclear.
Reacting to the leaked clip, Imran Khan emphasized that the issue of audio leaks was a matter of fundamental rights. He further stated that his petition on the matter had been pending in court for the past eight months and called on the Supreme Court to take necessary action.
Fawad Chaudhry, a PTI leader and former minister, expressed his party’s concerns over the leaked audio recordings, describing them as “disastrous”. He questioned the security of the Prime Minister’s Office and House, highlighting that if such recordings were being made in these highly secure locations, then the safety of the general public in the country could also be at risk.
Fawad highlighted that despite PTI’s petition regarding the audio leaks being submitted months ago, it has yet to be scheduled for a hearing. He expressed his frustration and condemned the act of illegal phone tapping, stating that it is punishable by up to three years in prison under the fair trial law.
Former human rights minister, Shireen Mazari, commented on the leaked audio recordings, expressing her concern over the violation of people’s privacy. She condemned the deep state and its puppet PDM regime, stating that such acts of audio tapping are illegal and that it is time for the Supreme Court to take necessary action against them. She added that the audio leaks are indicative of the level of depravity, desperation, and insanity that these regimes are willing to stoop to with impunity.
Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah has called for a suo motu notice to be taken of the latest audio leak and demanded a forensic audit of the clip. Speaking at a press conference in Faisalabad, he expressed concern about the impact of the leaked conversation, stating that a sitting judge was being pressured to make a decision. He questioned if decisions were being made on the basis of ego and if justice was being served in this way.
Sanaullah acknowledged that questions needed to be raised about how such audios were being leaked and called for those who were purportedly featured in the clips to come forward and hold a forensic audit of the recordings. He demanded that if the clip was fabricated, those behind it should be punished, but if it was real, accountability should be sought from those behind the conversation, and the person about whom the conversation is should resign.
The minister also mentioned the audio leak involving SC’s Justice Mazahar Akbar Naqvi, stating that no investigation had yet begun on that matter. He added that such incidents leave a negative impact on the nation and cause widespread worry.
