Pakistan audio leaks controversy

The Pakistan audio leaks controversy stems from several leaked audio conversations involving Pakistan's prime minister Shehbaz Sharif and former prime minister Imran Khan among others.^[1][2] The leaks began on 24 September 2022, when multiple audio files of purported conversations, allegedly recorded in the Prime Minister's Office, surfaced online.^[3] On 28 September 2022, a National Security Committee (NSC) meeting was convened to discuss matters related to national security, including the audio leaks.^[4]

Audio leaks case

In May 2023, Najam Saqib, son of former chief justice of Pakistan Saqib Nisar, filed a petition in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) against a National Assembly committee tasked with investigating his purported audio leak.^[5]

In September 2023, Bushra Bibi filed a petition in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) over the issue of an alleged phone conversation leak between her and the former prime minister Imran Khan’s special assistant Zulfi Bukhari.^[6]

On 12 September 2023, the IHC clubbed the petition of Bushra Bibi with the identical petition of Najam Saqib in the audio leaks case.^[7][8]

In April 2024, the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA), the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and the Intelligence Bureau (IB) requested the recusal of Justice Babar Sattar from hearing audio leaks’ case.^[9] On 29 April, Justice Sattar rejected pleas from the PEMRA, PTA and the FIA requesting his recusal and imposed fines of Rs 500,000 on each of the institutions.^[10][11] On 3 May, it emerged that the IHC had also dismissed the IB’s plea seeking the judge's recusal.^[12]

On 29 May 2024, the IHC issued a restraining order with regard to accessing data of consumers and its use. It restrained telecom companies from phone tapping for surveillance.^[13]

On 25 June 2024, the IHC rejected the government's plea for the in-chamber hearing of the audio leaks case.^[14] On 5 July, the federal government filed an appeal in the Supreme Court under Article 185(3) of the constitution against the IHC’s order.^[15]

References

1. "Pakistan: How the 'audio leaks' scandal has discredited politicians". Deutsche Welle. 3 October 2022.
2. "Second 'Imran' audio leaks in a day, featuring another purported discussion on cipher". Dawn. 7 October 2022.
3. "Why is Pakistan investigating several audio leaks from PM office?". AlJazeera. 29 September 2022.
4. "NSC meeting: High-powered committee to probe leaks". Samaa. 28 September 2022.
5. Asad, Malik (31 May 2023). "Ex-CJP's son seeks halt to NA probe against him". DAWN.
6. "Zulfi Bukhari audio leak: Bushra Bibi moves IHC against harassment by police, FIA". Samaa. 11 September 2023.
7. Asad, Malik (13 September 2023). "IHC clubs petitions of Bushra, ex-CJP's son in audio leak case". DAWN.
8. "IHC clubs Bushra Bibi's audio leak case with identical petitions". The News International. September 28, 2023.
9. Sigamony, Terence J. (28 April 2024). "Audio leaks' case: Pemra, PTA, FIA and IB 'demand' recusal of Justice Babar". Business Recorder.
10. Naveed, Asif (29 April 2024). "Audio leak case: Justice Babar Sattar imposes hefty fines on FIA, PTA and Pemra". Aaj English TV.
11. "Audio leaks case: Justice Babar Sattar dismisses conflict of interest pleas with heavy fines". Dunya News. 29 April 2024.
12. Burney, Umer (3 May 2024). "Audio leaks case: IHC dismisses IB's petition to withdraw plea seeking Justice Sattar's recusal". DAWN.
13. Yousafzai, Awais (May 30, 2024). "Audio leaks case: IHC restrains telecom companies from tapping phones for surveillance". The News International.
14. Mahmood, Fiaz (26 June 2024). "Audio leaks case in-chamber hearing declined". The Express Tribune.
15. Sigamony, Terence J. (6 July 2024). "Audio leaks case: SC urged to set aside IHC order in response to pleas of Bushra, Najam". Business Recorder.