JIT identifies official who leaked Hussain’s photo

The official reverted to his parent department, disciplinary action initiated

ISLAMABAD: Members of the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) identified on Monday the official who leaked the picture of the prime minister’s son, Hussain Nawaz, on social media. Hussain Nawaz had requested the Supreme Court to form an independent commission to identify the person(s) involved in the affair.

In compliance with the Supreme Court’s order, the JIT head on Monday submitted a reply, stating that immediately after becoming aware on June 5 of the circulation in social media of Hussain’s image, the JIT had initiated a comprehensive probe and within 24 hour had not only identified the culprit but also submitted its report to the bench.



“The individual was immediately removed from his assigned duties and reverted to his parent department. The department has confirmed that an (internal) inquiry has been completed and appropriate disciplinary action taken against the (said) individual,” says the reply.

It also submitted that false allegations were part of a smear campaign targeting members of JIT, adding that the object of allegations and the request for undertaking a judicial inquiry was also motivated by ulterior motives in a thinly-veiled attempt to mislead not only the bench, but also public opinion.

“The inquiry has conclusively established that the circulated image of the applicant (Hussain) is not actual video footage of any interview of the applicant. It is a still image likely a photograph or screenshot taken from one of two monitors connected to the video camera in the interview room of the JIT on the premises of the Federal Judicial Academy”.

The reply stated that Hussain was trying to frustrate the JIT investigation in an attempt to malign the reputation and integrity of JIT members.

Defending its decision to record witnesses during the interrogation, the JIT stated that there was no prohibition on the use of video recording in legal proceedings. “Use of modern technology has also been encouraged by superior courts even in criminal proceedings.”

The reply also stated that video recording of interviews by the JIT was also not unprecedented. In fact, actual video clips of proceedings of various other JITs have periodically surfaced in the media.



Video recording, it stated, was also not prohibited by superior courts and similarly, video and audio recording by other investigating agencies such as NAB was common practice.

The JIT also rejected allegations of witnesses about misbehaviour. It requested the SC to dismiss Hussain’s plea.

JIT contended before the SC that Hussain Nawaz’s plea against it is part of some 'chorographical campaign' to immediate and malign its members and to disrupt, delay and frustrate the probe.

The JIT has already been brought in the notice of court in its fortnight report.