NA panel summons Najam over leaked audio

Instructs finance ministry to provide bank statements of parties

ISLAMABAD:

The National Assembly special committee on audio leaks on Thursday summoned former chief justice of Pakistan Saqib Nisar’s son, Najam Saqib with a warning that if he did not appear before the committee, warrants could be issued against him.

The committee met with MNA Aslam Bhootani in the chair to take up the issue of a leaked audio, purportedly of Najam, and for the provision of the relevant Supreme Court record.

It also sought bank statements of Najam and two other people.

Bhootani said that Najam was called under the committee rules, however, he and other parties in the matter did not appear in the meeting.

In the meeting, MNA Sheikh Rohale Asghar proposed summoning officials of the Ministry of Finance regarding the audio leaks case. He said that an audit of the accounts should be conducted by the ministry and action could be taken if the transactions were proven.

Another committee member MNA Khalid Magsi stated that no one could be punished for just talking to someone, adding that it had to be proven whether the transaction took place or not. There was no discussion against the state or any institution in the leaked audio.

The Ministry of Law officials informed the committee that investigations could be conducted according to the rules. They said that a relevant agency could take action once the transaction was proven.

The National Assembly authorities stated that under Rule 245, the special committee had the same powers as other committees possessed.

Under the rules, the officials said, the committee could issue summons and warrants for inquiry.

The National Assembly established this committee, and there was nothing illegal in it, the officials said, adding that all the National Assembly committees had been granted powers under Article 66 of the Constitution.

They said that the meeting of the special committee was not unconstitutional.

Later, the committee instructed Najam and other individuals to submit their six-month bank statements to the committee. The chair also asked the Ministry of Finance to provide the bank statements within 15 days.