Islamabad: The Supreme Court has expressed regret over the lack of progress in the investigation into audio leaks involving judiciary members, noting that the three-man inquiry commission formed for this purpose has not held hearings since May 27, 2023.
A two-judge bench, led by Justice Aminuddin Khan, issued a five-page order on Monday addressing the government’s appeal against the Islamabad High Court’s June 25 order regarding petitions filed by Bushra Bibi and Najamus Saqib, son of former Chief Justice Saqib Nisar.
The order highlighted that the commission, led by Justice Isa and including Balochistan High Court Chief Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan and Islamabad High Court Chief Justice Aamer Farooq, began its work on May 22 but had its proceedings stayed on May 26 by the Supreme Court. The commission’s work was halted until the petitions challenging its formation were resolved.
The commission was tasked with investigating the authenticity of various audio leaks allegedly related to judicial matters, including conversations involving former Punjab CM Chaudhry Parvez Elahi, ex-CJP Saqib Nisar, and other figures.
The Supreme Court order also addressed arguments from Additional Attorney General Chaudhry Aamir Rehman, who contended that the Islamabad High Court exceeded its jurisdiction under Article 199 of the Constitution. He argued that the high court’s suo motu actions and the questions it framed were beyond its mandate and that the matter required a comprehensive inquiry rather than judicial review.
The Supreme Court noted that the high court had not adequately addressed claims by Bushra Bibi that the audio leaks were fabricated or manipulated. The court granted leave to consider the highlighted issues and suspended the high court’s order, staying further proceedings. The Additional Attorney General’s request to suspend the high court’s interim order was declined, as the order had not been extended in subsequent hearings.
