PTI, govt lock horns over Bushra Bibi's alleged audio leak

ISLAMABAD:

The government and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) locked horns over the purported audio of Bushra Bibi leaked after PTI chief Imran Khan's huge public gathering at Islamabad's Parade Ground on Saturday night.

While the origin and authenticity of the tape is still shrouded in mystery, the government has seized on the leak as a fresh battle line against the PTI leaders, who tamp it down as part of a “smear campaign” timed to undermine its narrative.

As political rhetoric in the country continues to spiral into an acrimonious verbal slugfest, the timing of the audio release also raised alarm because it surfaced shortly after the PTI's rally in Islamabad, eclipsing much of the political landscape.

In the purported audio clip, which has not been verified independently, the voice believed to be of the former first lady can be heard giving orders to PTI social media head Arsalan Khalid, urging him to accuse the former opposition parties of ‘treason’.

Then she goes on to instruct how to build a narrative against party dissidents by linking them to 'foreign conspiracies' against Imran Khan.

Also read: PTI rejects Bushra Bibi's alleged audio leak as 'fabricated'

"Now you have to ensure that this issue does not die down," the woman who is said to be Bushra Bibi said.

The leak, initially viral on social media, further snowballed into controversy on Sunday when PTI leaders finally broke their silence over the mysterious audio leak.

‘Fake audio clip’

However, the PTI has vehemently rejected the purported telephonic conversation, tying it up with a slew of other similar "strategically-timed" leaks churned out by PML-N's media cell.

In a Twitter post, PTI stalwart Shahbaz Gill said that such ‘fake audio clips’ had already been exposed in the past and alleged that the "fake audio-video production" has come forward with yet another ’fake news'.

"This time linking the former first lady with the fabricated material," he added.

As for his part, PTI leader Fayyazul Hassan Chohan termed the leak of the private audio tapes an “immoral, illegal and inhumane” act.

The PTI leader said that leaking audio and video tapes will not stop Imran’s mission.

“Imran Khan is fighting against the servitude of America with full courage and bravery,” Chohan added.

He further said that Imran had "full confidence" in the participation of millions of citizens of Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

Also read: PML-N accuses Imran of tarnishing political landscape as Bushra Bibi's audio leak goes viral

Similarly, party leader Farrukh Habib echoed his colleagues and blasted the PML-N for "crossing the red line", forewarning the government to not "whine" when its leaks are released.

"Last night, he again released a fake audio, it was released from the factory of Maryam Safdar from where the fake audio of Saqib Nisar was released," Habib claimed.

"You're crossing the red line by stooping low by resorting to such profanities. Don't complain when the answer comes."

He dismissed the leak as a blackmailing tactic.

'Tainting the political landscape'

Meanwhile, PML-N saw the audio as fresh fodder to bolster its claims that Imran had peddled lies against their party "on the orders of Bushra Bibi".

During a joint press conference, PML-N leaders Attaullah Tarar and Malik Ahmad Khan accused the former premier of tainting the political landscape of the country.

It has been proved that allegations of treason were used against us on the orders of Bushra Bibi, they said.

This isn't the first time that leaked audio has rattled the country's political scene. The two sides -- the PTI and the PML-N -- have recently been levelling accusations of serious nature against each other.

What makes this even daunting is the announcement at the aforesaid presser to issue a red warrant to bring back Farah Khan -- Bushra's close aide -- as the calls to investigate her for her alleged involvement in corruption gain momentum.