The Islamabad High Court Saturday stated that it is “shocking” to know that no law enforcement or intelligence agency had the capability to determine the source of audio leaks.
IHC’s Justice Babar Sattar made the observation in a seven-page order issued on petitions of Bushra Bibi, wife of Imran Khan, and ex-chief justice of Pakistan Saqib Nisar’s son, Najam Us Saqib, against their private conversations being leaked.
Najam’s audio was leaked in April this year and Buhsra’s conversation went viral on social media in November, prompting both of them to approach the high court via separate petitions. The IHC had then clubbed the pleas due to the similarities of the issues.
The court stated in its order that Attorney General for Pakistan Mansoor Usman Awan, during his arguments, informed the IHC that no law enforcement or intelligence agency has been authorised to intercept or record telephone calls.
“He states […] that the right to privacy of all citizens must be upheld and their private phone conversations ought not be recorded, and such conversations are protected by attorney-client privilege,” the order said, quoting the AGP.
The order further stated that AGP Awan informed the court that the Federal Investigation Agency has written to various social media platforms to seek information with regard to the release of the voice calls in order to determine the source or sources that first released the illegally recorded calls.
Meanwhile, the Islamabad High Court summoned in person the directors general of Intelligence Bureau and Federal Investigation Agency on Feb 19 in audio leaks case.
The IHC, in its written order, ordered both DGs to attend court in person on Feb 19 in audio leaks case.
