IHC rejects IB's request to withdraw plea for Justice Sattar's recusal

Judge informs AAG petition was already dismissed during previous hearing of ‘audio leaks’ case

ISLAMABAD:

Islamabad High Court’s Justice Babar Sattar on Friday dismissed a plea filed by the Intelligence Bureau (IB) seeking withdrawal of its petition for the judge’s recusal from the audio leaks case.

The court noted in its order that the IB director general had been notified as to why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against him.

The IHC in its order also inquired as to who had granted the authority to file the petition.

The development came as the IHC heard a case in connection with the petitions filed last year by PTI founding chairman Imran Khan’s wife Bushra Bibi and former top judge Mian Saqib Nisar’s son Najam Saqib against the alleged audio leaks.

A petition filed by the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) on April 27 contended that another IHC bench had already issued a verdict in a similar case involving the alleged audio leaks.

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), and IB had also filed similar pleas.

Read IB neither confirms, nor denies audio tapping

During Friday’s proceedings, the assistant attorney general (AAG) informed the court that the IB wanted to withdraw its plea objecting to the formation of the bench.

However, Justice Sattar informed the AAG that the IB's petition was already dismissed during the last hearing.

"When the order comes, you will receive it," he added.

Addressing the AAG, the judge remarked that the IB’s response could be submitted to the IHC when the written verdict had been issued.

During the previous hearing on Monday, Justice Sattar imposed a fine of Rs500,000 each on the FIA, PTA and Pemra, which sought his recusal from the audio leaks case and disposed of the pleas of the three bodies. He also hinted at initiating contempt proceedings against them.

Justice Sattar summoned IB joint director Tariq Mehmood on Friday, seeking a response as to who had approved the filing of the petition seeking his recusal from the case.

A day earlier, the IB filed a miscellaneous application seeking the withdrawal of its objection petition.
However, it was rejected by the court on Friday.