Khan pessimistic commission won’t unearth audio leaks perpetrators,

Imran Khan questions establishment’s motive behind “minus-Imran” campaign,

Imran Khan says he will be available in Islamabad on May 23,

Lahore_Deposed prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan expressed his deep concerns regarding the issue of audio leaks and the subsequent breach of privacy while expressing pessimism that the inquiry would be a ‘wild goose chase’ unless Terms of Reference (TORs) are not modified.

In a tweet, he emphasized the need to uncover the powerful and unknown entities responsible for the unlawful and unconstitutional surveillance of the Prime Minister’s Office and sitting judges of the Supreme Court.

Imran Khan lamented a deliberate omission in the TORs of the inquiry commission, stating that they fail to address the crucial question of identifying those behind the illegal and unauthorized tapping and recording of telephone conversations, including those involving high-ranking public officials.

He asserted that this egregious act not only violates the fundamental right to privacy guaranteed under Article 14 of the Constitution but also undermines the very fabric of democracy and the rule of law.

Imran Khan called for empowering the commission to investigate the identity of these powerful actors who engage in the covert surveillance of citizens, tamper with audio recordings, and subsequently leak them on social media platforms.

He stressed the importance of holding accountable not only those involved in the unlawful retrieval of data through phone tapping but also those responsible for fabricating and tampering with phone calls before disseminating them publicly.

The ex-PM reiterated that democracies governed by the rule of law are built on the premise that the state should not arbitrarily intrude into certain aspects of individuals’ lives.

He emphasized that the right to privacy and dignity, enshrined under Article 14, is grossly violated when the state unlawfully surveils its own citizens.Drawing attention to the alarming revelation that some of the leaked calls originated from supposedly secure phone lines within the Prime Minister’s Office, PTI chairman expressed his disbelief that such audacious tapping could occur without his knowledge or authorization.

He demanded that the commission identify these elements who operate with impunity, seemingly above the law and beyond the control of even the prime minister himself.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman and former prime minister Imran Khan on Saturday raised concerns over a perceived conspiracy to exclude his party from eligibility for future elections, claiming that pressure is being exerted on judges and courts to deny PTI any relief.

In a virtual address to the workers, PTI chairman accused the establishment of plotting against his party’s eligibility for future elections, asserting that there is a concerted effort to sideline his party from the political landscape.

He questioned the motives behind the speculated “minus-Imran” campaign.

The ex-PM alleged that pressure is being applied to judges and courts to prevent PTI from gaining any legal relief.

Imran Khan further expressed his willingness to bear the consequences of being “minus,” asserting that if his absence would benefit Pakistan, he is prepared to take that path.

He dismissed calls for him to leave the country, emphasizing that he has no hidden properties abroad.

Moreover, Imran Khan raised questions about the legitimacy of caretaker governments, arguing that elections have not been held as per constitutional requirements, thus rendering these interim administrations illegal.

PTI chairman said that Pakistan has swayed from the path of Constitution and was running on ‘doctrine of necessity’.

Imran agreed on Saturday to appear before the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Rawalpindi office on May 23 in the Al-Qadir Trust case.

The anti-graft crusader summoned Khan — who was removed from office in April last year via a vote of no-confidence — in connection with an investigation related to the £190m settlement from the UK.

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman, in his reply to the anti-graft watchdog, said that he will be available in Islamabad on May 23 to pursue a number of pre-arrest bails and “shall be free from the courts to join the investigation by 11am”.

He also sought the inquiry report that was delivered to him by NAB after his arrest, saying that he had left it in the Police Lines resthouse where he was kept.