Another Audio Allegedly Featuring Ex-CJP Saqib Nisar, PTI Lawyer Surfaces Online

Another Audio Allegedly Featuring Ex-CJP Saqib Nisar, PTI Lawyer Surfaces Online
As the Supreme Court hears high-profile cases regarding elections, another audio clip allegedly featuring former Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Saqib Nisar and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) lawyer Khawaja Tariq Rahim has surfaced online.

In a clip that lasts for more than a minute, both are purportedly heard discussing suo motu and contempt of court cases.

When the judiciary and the ruling coalition government were about to collide over the impending elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the audio came to light. The PDM government has shown great reluctance to avoid elections because the Supreme Court is adamant about conducting them on May 14 in Punjab, and it is advocating for simultaneous elections throughout the nation.

After greetings, Mr. Nisar is allegedly heard requesting the PTI attorney read the 2012 judgment in a suo motu case by a seven-judge bench. However, there is no indication of the issue that is currently being discussed; therefore, he asked him to submit this judgment to his lawyer, who is managing the case.

Khawaja Tariq Rahim responded by saying he would analyze the decision and adding that he had discovered a workaround while reading another judgment.

The ex-CJP responded, "Yes, I have studied it as well, and that is the only option we have."

The former chief justice allegedly asked the PTI leader to bring up the Munir Ahmad Khan case at one point, adding that "this is clearly a contempt of court case."

In response, Khawaja Tariq said that a contempt case would be filed.

On March 21, 2023, an audio leak surfaced wherein former CJP Saqib Nisar is allegedly using derogatory language against Maryam Nawaz – Senior Vice President of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz.

In the clip, Nisar and the other man said to be PTI’s Tariq Khawaja Rahim, allegedly discuss Maryam’s remarks against the ex-CJP in public speeches.

During the leaked conversation, Tariq advises Nisar to "give the woman that speaks so much a befitting response."

At this point, Nisar allegedly says he has the courage to bear it, but that when the need arises, "I will ask you to do something explosive".

Reacting to the clip, PM Shehbaz condemned the "abusive language" used and said, "Society, especially women, should strongly condemn this speech and abusive mindset about women."

He added that "only collective condemnation of the act can bring a stop to such a mindset in society".