Audio leaks matter placed Pakistan’s prestige at stake: PM Shehbaz
ISLAMABAD, Sep 27 (SABAH): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Tuesday dubbed the surfacing of audio leaks allegedly featuring conversations between key figures in the coalition government was a very serious lapse and he announced that a high-level committee would be constituted to probe the matter.
PM Shehbaz made these remarks alongside other federal cabinet members at a press conference in Islamabad on Tuesday. Responding to a question regarding the audio leaks, he was of the view that such security breaches were a “big question mark”.
“Who will come to meet the Prime Minister at the PM House now? Be it a sympathiser or a friend, they will think 100 times before talking. This is about the respect of 220 million people of the country, he deplored.
He further said that he was going to take notice of this and a committee will be formed and reach the depth of this matter.
It is noteworthy here that audio recordings of conversations between key government figures including Shehbaz Sharif, Maryam Nawaz and some members of the federal cabinet — discussing governance matters privately surfaced over the weekend, prompting concerns over the security of the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
On Saturday last, a recording of PM Shehbaz came to fore where he was discussing with an unidentified official the possibility of facilitating the import of Indian machinery for a power project that was a concern of Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s son-in-law, Raheel.
Countering the matter on Tuesday, the Prime Minister said that Maryam never talked to him about any favour or her son-in-law. “Dr Tauqeer spoke to me about it and said half of the machinery was imported during the PTI tenure. I don’t know what amount was spent and how much loss they will have to bear if half the machinery is left. Dr Tauqeer told me that the provision is banned and it will have to be taken to the ECC (Economic Coordination Committee).”
Shehbaz went on to say that he didn’t find it appropriate to take the matter to the Cabinet. “I said I will convey this to my daughter. Now tell me what is wrong with this?” He said that previously several audios relating to PTI chief Imran Khan were leaked but no questions were raised on that. “Have you heard the conversation about diamonds? About the piece of land that was given to them as a gift. You don’t talk about it but you are discussing this matter.”
Imran Niazi, Shehbaz went on to allege, brutally used “his force” to target opponents.
“He called Bashir Memon to his office and asked him to file cases against his rivals. This is on record. Did I amend the policy, there is no question about it. You must do justice. I will apologise to the nation if I did something wrong.”
Imran also sold the Toshakhana gifts, why aren’t those audios being leaked, the PM asked. “The audios on the increase in sugar prices should surface this is a billion rupees scam.
“Imran said he will form a commission. Was anyone caught, was anyone punished? Billions of dollars from Pakistan were wasted,” the Prime Minister pointed out, claiming that Imran’s corruption had a “long tale”.
Responding to a question about the army chief’s appointment, which is due in November, Shehbaz stressed that the “law and Constitution” had to be followed and “everyone is going to follow it”.
In the past few days, Imran has lambasted the coalition government for trying to “appoint an army chief of their choice” in November to save their skin in corruption cases.
At the press conference, Shehbaz said that he didn’t see anything wrong in consulting Nawaz.
“What’s the point of criticising my talk with Nawaz? He is my leader and discussed Pakistan issues with him,” he asserted.