Imran Khan, the Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), petitioned the Supreme Court to investigate his audio leaks in light of the resurgence of audio leaks in the country’s political arena.
In his address to the nation via video link, he requested that the Supreme Court also hear his appeal.
Khan pleaded with the legal system to intervene in the audio leaks involving him, Bushra Bibi (his wife), and the leaders and allies of his party, stating that “our fundamental rights were infringed.” The Official Secrets Act is violated if the prime minister’s secure line conversation is disclosed. Our legal system must address that.
The former prime minister sought the supreme court to establish a joint investigation team (JIT) or judicial commission to investigate the PM House audio leaks while he was still in office due to his alleged repeated audio leaks that were put online in the last year. The government of the departed prime minister was overthrown following a vote of no confidence.
But, the nation’s highest court denied and returned his petition, finding that it did not fully address how Article 184(3) should be applied to the audio leaks case.
The PTI head urged the court to “declare that the impugned conduct, particularly the illegal surveillance of the PMO and PMH and the publication of the surveillance material, particularly through the Audio Leaks, are unconstitutional and illegal.”
During his speech today, Khan stated that throughout his time as prime minister, his discussions with his principal secretary, Azam Khan, were recorded over an official line. During my tenure as prime minister, I had a conversation with my principal secretary. The call was compromised and manipulated. These recordings are revealed when someone must be blackmailed.”
In addition, the former premier described how the phone call from his wife had been edited and disseminated. Furthermore, Imran Khan asserted that Maryam Nawaz, the senior vice-president of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), had mentioned “possessing” audio and video tapes during a press conference and that General (ret.) Qamar Javed Bajwa had “also stated that he possesses videos.”
“Anybody may generate phony audio and video due to technological advancements. There have been produced phony videos. Three of our party’s senior leaders are being subjected to blackmail.”
A purported audio leak involving Khan and Lahore Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Ghulam Mahmood Dogar surfaced the day before. Today, Khan was flanked by Dr. Yasmin Rashid, the leader of his party in Punjab.
The alleged audio leak came one day after the Supreme Court reinstated the officer to the position of Lahore CCPO following the stay of his transfer orders from the Punjab caretaker establishment.
Khan asserts that Dr. Rashid will launch a lawsuit against the audio leaks.
Another instance involves an alleged audio recording of Khan’s close associate and former Punjab chief minister, Chaudhry Parvez Elahi discussing judicial administration.
“They are currently attempting to blackmail the legal system. The former prime minister further asserted that “[Interior Minister] Rana Sanaullah published the recording to exert pressure on the court” and that the Pakistan Democratic Movement-led administration is attempting to remove Dogar from his post.
Khan sought the Supreme Court to expose the extortionists’ identities.
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