Video presented by PML-N was recorded in a media house: Firdous

PM's special assistant says government will spare no effort to expose those who prepared audio and video

Special Assistant on Information and Broadcasting Firdous Ashiq Awan on Sunday said the purported video of accountability judge Arshad Malik brought forward by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) was recorded in a media house.

Addressing a press conference in Sialkot, she said the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government would spare no effort to "expose those who prepared the audio and video".

Firdous also reiterated the government's intent to conduct a forensic audit of the video and audio. "Recording such a video is a violation of the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) Code of Conduct. All those responsible will be taken to task," she said.

She said judge Arshad Malik's statement issued on Sunday had established beyond doubt that the PML-N's accusations were a "pack of lies".

"The PML-N has a history of targeting and maligning the judiciary. This video is also part of their conspiracy to misguide the masses and instigate them against the judiciary."

Unverified tape an absurd attempt to gain sympathy: Firdous

“This time, though, they cannot use such cheap tactics to avoid accountability. This is Naya Pakistan where the law is independent and applicable to everyone,” said the prime minister's special assistant.

On Saturday, Firdous had called into question the credibility of the video clip presented by the PML-N. She said it was necessary that the one who levels an allegation must be honest and credible.

“The tape has been provided to the PML-N by Nasir Butt, who is an infamous murderer and gang leader who fled to the UK after killing five people and remained an absconder for 20 years.  Butt worked as a security guard for Nawaz Sharif in the UK and his cases were closed when the PML-N came into power.”

Pemra takes notice

Following Saturday's press conference by Maryam Nawaz and other senior PML-N leaders, Pemra issued notices to 21 television channels for airing the "unedited live telecast against state institutions and the judiciary".

The regulatory body objected that Maryam's presser had violated the Pemra Code of Conduct.

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— Report PEMRA (@reportpemra) July 6, 2019