Commission formed to probe judges’ audio leaks begins its work

The judicial commission, headed by Justice Qazi Faez Isa, formed to investigate judges’ audio leaks, which began its work in courtroom number 7 of the Supreme Court (SC) on Monday, directed the federal government to submit to it all audios and transcripts by May 24, reported 24NewsHD TV channel. 

The attorney general of Pakistan (AGP) Mansoor Usman Awan, on the occasion, read out terms of reference (TORs) of the commission.

Speaking on the occasion, Justice Isa asked the government to provide names and addresses of the people on whose conversations these audios were based. 

Other members of the commission are Islamabad High Court (IHC) Chief Justice (CJ) Justice Aamer Farooq, and Balochistan High Court (BHC) Chief Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan. 

The commission directed releasing an advertisement prior to formal beginning of its work. 

Justice Isa directed that the commission’s e-mail address be made public so that anybody wanting to provide information to the commission could provide it. 

The judge also made it clear that the commission’s proceedings were neither criminal nor was it a Supreme Judicial Council. 

He also directed that all parties to the case be treated with respect. 

He further clarified that purpose of constitution of the commission was to look for facts rather than taking action against anybody. 

Two days ago, on May 20, 2023, 24News reported that the federal government had constituted a three-member judicial commission to probe recent audio leaks involving judges and their family members. 

The commission had been tasked with completing 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.

Name: Amanat Gishkori