Justice Sattar requested for in-camera briefing in audio leak case: AGP

ISLAMABAD: Attorney General for Pakistan (AGP) Mansoor Usman Awan expressed concern over the perception of deteriorating relations between the court and the executive, as stated in a video release on Tuesday.

This statement followed reports that Justice Sattar of the Islamabad High Court had penned a letter to IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq, alleging pressure from high-ranking officials in the security establishment to refrain from scrutinizing surveillance methods in the audio leaks case.

AGP Awan emphasized the necessity of communication between state institutions, especially on sensitive matters given Pakistan’s longstanding security challenges. He mentioned that such communication is typically facilitated by the AGP or advocate general, who serve as intermediaries between the judiciary and the executive.

Speaking about the judge’s letter, the AGP said the communication between state institutions regarding “sensitive matters is imperative in the view of security situation” that Pakistan has been facing for the last 45 years.

Regarding the judge’s letter, Awan clarified that the request for an in-camera briefing in the audio leak case was solely aimed at ensuring privacy and did not imply bias towards any party.

“I deny this impression; the content of the letter should be examined to know what has been termed obstruction of justice. Neither any top official from the security establishment approached the IHC judge nor can anyone do,” the AGP clarified.

In response to Awan’s statement, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar stated that the AGP’s office had indeed requested an in-camera briefing from the IHC.

He refuted the notion of interference in court matters, highlighting that a commission was established based on input from six judges to sift through pertinent information.

Information Minister Ataullah Tarar underscored the sensitivity of national security issues, cautioning against their public disclosure via letter.

He emphasized that raising questions about national security in such a manner would be inappropriate.