Govt forms judicial commission to probe judges’ audio leaks

The federal government on Saturday constituted a three-member judicial commission to probe recent audio leaks involving judges and their family members, reported 24NewsHD TV channel. 

Members of the commission are Justice Qazi Faez Isa, Chief Justice Balochistan High Court Chief Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan and Chief Justice Islamabad High Court Justice Aamer Farooq. 

The judicial commission has been tasked to complete the job within 30 days.

In March last, the Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) had filed a reference against Supreme Court Judge Justice Sayyed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi in the Supreme Judicial Council for “misconduct” after his name surfaced in connection with the audio leaks purportedly involving him, former Punjab chief minister Parvez Elahi and others.

There were purportedly also audio leaks involving relatives of retired and serving judges.

On May 2, 2023, 24News TV channel reported that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had ordered constitution of a committee to probe the audio leaks of the former chief justice of Pakistan Saqib Nisar’s son Najam Saqib. Prime Minister also directed to ensure the representation of all parties in the committee while chairing a consultative meeting of the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N).

There was another purported audio leak of CJP Justice Umar Ata Bandial’s mother-in-law.

Purported audio leaks 

Following are the audio leaks which the newly-formed judicial commission has been tasked to probe: 

The purported telephonic conversation between the former Punjab chief minister and an advocate regarding a sitting judge of the Supreme Court of Pakistan.

Conversation between former Punjab chief minister and an advocate about fixation of some cases before a particular SC bench.

Conversation between former Punjab chief minister and a sitting apex court judge.

Conversation between former chief justice of Pakistan Saqib Nisar and a senior lawyer.

Conversation between a lawyer and a journalist on the outcome of a case before a particular SC bench.

Conversation between former Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan and his party colleague about their links in the apex court.

Conversation between the mother-in-law of CJP Umar Ata Bandial and the wife of a lawyer regarding SC cases and a conversation about an unconstitutional rule.

Conversation between ex-CJP Nisar’s son Najam Saqib and his friend mentioning his father in a political role.

Reporter: Ahmad Mansoor