ISLAMABAD – A slew of audio leaks related to ongoing controversy involving the country’s senior judges sparked a new debate as the former ruling party denounced the clips while members of the coalition government openly mentioned these in public rallies.
As the matter picked pace, the country’s top judge Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Umar Ata Bandial commented on the matter, saying Supreme Court (SC) is a constitutional institution that is being maligned through audio leaks.
CJP Bandial passed these remarks during the hearing in the Ghulam Mehmood Dogar transfer case, as he pledged to protect constitutional institutions. The judge remarked that judicial members are under attack, but will be protected.
The court further mentioned the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) as a constitutional institution, saying it will be protected too, stressing the transparency of the democratic process.
Chief Justice also remarked that the words of the Supreme Court are frequently tweaked.
Passing the rule on the CCPO transfer case, CJP said petitioner already withdrew his application against the transfer of former Lahore CCPO Dogar after which the case was dismissed, calling it an ineffective case after the electoral watchdog approved a shuffle in bureaucracy.
The controversy started with two alleged clips ascribed to former chief minister Punjab and Pervaiz Elahi went viral in which they discussed investigation, bringing the judiciary under the question mark.
Another audio clip allegedly featuring Yasmin Rashid and Ghulam Mahmood Dogar then surfaced where latter admitted having his man at the top court.
The third alleged conversation between Fawad Chaudhry and brother Faisal went viral which has left Pakistan’s judicial system under serious pressure.
