Audio Leaks
ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan today turned down the former PDM government’s objections to the formation of an SC bench hearing the audio leaks case.
The apex court also termed it an attack on judicial freedom. The Supreme Court today announced the short decision of the SC bench led by Chief Justice Bandial, comprising Justice Munib and Justice Ejazul Ahsan. The court announced the decision a month after the PDM government ended its premature term.
The court reserved the decision on June 6, 2023, but did not announce it as long as the PDM government was in place.
The Supreme Court has dismissed the former PDM government’s petitions challenging the formation of a three-member bench to hear the audio leaks case.
The Pakistan Democratic Movement government had raised objections over the inclusion of the Justice Bandial, Justice Ijaz and Justice Muneeb in the bench hearing the case against the formation of a judicial commission to probe audio leaks.
The judicial commission on audio leaks was supposed to be headed by Justice Qazi Faez Isa, the nominated chief justice. The bench has stopped the commission from working.
The commission was set up after multiple audios including those of former Punjab Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi and the CJ’s mother-in-law were leaked to the media. Many leaked audios seemingly cast doubts over the judiciary at a time when cases involving Imran Khan and election delay were being held.
Supreme Court takes up hearing of Jaranwala rampage case
A file photo of a church that was set ablaze by a mob in Jaranwala.
The Supreme Court (SC) is hearing today the case of arson and rampage in Jaranwala town. In this tragedy, a Christian neighborhood was targeted, in the industrial district of Faisalabad. A three-member SC bench will take up for hearing today this case of violence against the religious minority
On August 16, a mob vandalized churches and set numerous houses ablaze in Jaranwala. The incident was an outcome of incitement from mosque clerics, alleging blasphemy by the Christian community.
File photo of arsonists attack on churches in Jaranwala.
The violent mob not only committed arson but also looted valuables from abandoned Christian homes after their owners fled in response to protests.
Justice Ijaz-Ul-Ahsan is heading the bench, comprising Justice Muneeb Akhtar and Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail.
Minority leader Samuel Pyaray filed a miscellaneous petition in the apex court seeking justice in the Jaranwala tragedy.
This marks the second scheduled hearing for the petition. Last month, Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Bandial constituted a three-member bench, including himself, and comprising Justice Athar Minallah, and Justice Shahid Waheed, to hear the case.
The hearing was initially set for August 22, however, the Supreme Court postponed it due to a lack of a police report on the incident from the Human Rights Cell.
After the violence, Christian families took refuge in fields and desolate areas. Many moved to stay with relatives due to their targeted and attacked homes.
Authorities registered two cases against the arsonists in Jaranwala, charging them with terrorism and blasphemy. The investigation included 37 suspects and over 600 unidentified individuals.
