PML-N demands Nawaz’s release, claims forensic test validates judge’s video

Punjab forensic lab only conducts postmortem, says Firdous Ashiq Awan while refuting media reports

Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) leader Ahsan Iqbal has claimed that a forensic report has verified authenticity of the controversial video, in which judge Arshad Malik purportedly could be heard saying he was pressurised into convicting former prime minister Nawaz Sharif.

Iqbal was referring to media reports, claiming that the Punjab forensic department has validated the authenticity of the controversial video, which resulted in the suspension of judge Malik.

Earlier this month, PML-N vice president and daughter of the former premier Maryam Nawaz, flanked by senior party leaders, unveiled a controversial video of the judge alleging that her father was wrongly convicted by the accountability court.

"After the verification of the video, there is no reason to keep Nawaz Sharif behind bars and it has been established that he was convicted under duress," said Iqbal while addressing a press conference in Lahore on Saturday.

He also demanded of the chief justice of Pakistan to direct the government to release the PML-N supremo immediately and compensate him for his unlawful conviction.

An accountability court in December, 2018 had sentenced the former premier to seven-year rigorous imprisonment after it found him guilty in Al-Azizia reference.

Minutes after PML-N stalwart wrapped up his presser, Prime Minister’s Adviser on Information Firdous Ashiq Awan hit back at the PML-N leader and rebuked the media reports of validation of video by the forensic laboratory.

Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, Firdous deplored the irresponsible reporting of a section of media, saying the Punjab forensic laboratory "only conducts postmortem and examines part of human body".

She also added that forensic of such nature is only dealt by cybercrime cell of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).

“I strongly condemn the disinformation campaign in the media and, no video tape has been sent to the forensic laboratory for examination,” said the premier’s aide.