The high-powered judicial commission formed to probe the audio leaks related to the judiciary announced on Monday that the proceedings of its inquiry will be made public.
The commission, headed by SC judge Justice Qazi Faez Isa and comprising Islamabad High Court Chief Justice Aamer Farooq and Balochistan High Court Chief Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan, held its first hearing Monday in courtroom No.7 of the Supreme Court. Attorney General Mansoor Usman Awan also appeared before the three-member commission.
At the outset of the proceedings, Justice Isa inquired: “Under which law the commission was formed?”
Attorney General Awan replied that the commission was constituted under the Commission of Inquiry Act, 2016.
The judicial commission then announced that it would make the proceedings public. However, it added that the commission could review any request for an in-camera session if any sensitive matter is brought to light.
“The proceedings of the commission will be held in the Supreme Court Islamabad building,” Justice Isa instructed, adding, “It is our responsibility to appoint the secretary of the commission.”
He further said that two elderly women were also included among those who have to be probed. “If there is a request, the commission can also go to Lahore,” he said.
The commission then instructed the attorney general to provide mobile phones and SIM cards for the commission.
It was decided that the phone number will be made public.
The commission then directed the attorney general to appoint a relevant agency for the verification of the material.
“Punjab Forensic Science Agency can be contacted to verify the audio leaks, Justice Isa said.
Stressing that the commission has been set up “only to determine facts”, the SC judge said: “If a person says that the voice in the audio is not theirs, or has been tampered with, it has to be verified beforehand.”
Justice Isa then announced that the commission’s proceedings will be held on Saturday (May 27) at 10am.
