Authorities Seek Justice Sattar Recusal in High-Profile Audio Leak Case
On April 27, four key state institutions jointly filed a petition urging the Islamabad High Court (IHC) regarding the recusal of Justice Babar Sattar from overseeing a case involving the alleged surveillance of private individuals’ telephonic conversations.
The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra), the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), and the Intelligence Bureau (IB) have collectively raised concerns over a potential conflict of interest, pointing to a prior ruling by a different bench in a similar case.
The application argues that to maintain consistency in legal decisions and prevent any contradictions, it is imperative for Justice Sattar to step down from the case. They advocated for the proceedings to be conducted by the bench led by Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani, which had previously adjudicated on a related matter in 2021.
The next hearing of the case is scheduled for April 29.
At the heart of the legal battle are petitions filed by former First Lady Bushra Bibi and Najamus Saqib, son of former Chief Justice Saqib Nisar. Both petitions allege the unauthorized recording and subsequent leakage of private conversations, sparking a national debate on privacy rights and surveillance practices.
The controversy erupted when audio clips purportedly featuring Najamus Saqib’s voice surfaced on April 29, 2023. In one recording, he allegedly discussed political matters with a prominent figure, while another clip hinted at negotiations over party tickets. These revelations triggered swift parliamentary action, with the National Assembly forming a special committee to investigate the matter on May 3, 2023.
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