Supreme Court returns Imran Khan's plea to probe audio leaks with objections

• SC raises objections against Imran Khan's plea.
• Says Imran Khan didn't approach relevant forum.
• Court says petition doesn't clarify how Article 184(3) applies to audio leaks case.

The Supreme Court on Monday returned PTI Chairman Imran Khan's petition seeking the formation of a joint investigation team or a commission to probe illegal surveillance, recording, retention, custody, and release/leaking of data from the PM House.

The Supreme Court's registrar's office has raised objections against the former prime minister's plea and returned it, saying that the application does not clarify how Article 184(3) applies to the audio leaks case.

The registrar's office also said that the petitioner did not clarify how the matter is related to basic human rights in the plea. It also said that the petitioner did not approach the relevant forum.

Last week, the former prime minister moved the Supreme Court to form a joint investigation team or a commission to probe illegal surveillance, recording, retention, custody, and release/leaking of data. 

He filed a petition in the Supreme Court under Article 184(3) of the Constitution. 

"Declare that the impugned actions, in particular, the illegal surveillance of the PMO and PMH and the release of the surveillance data, especially through the Audio Leaks, are unconstitutional and in violation of law," the PTI chief prayed before the court.  

Khan also urged the Supreme Court to hold the officials behind the audio leaks accountable.

PTI seeks JIT to determine 'intelligence agency behind bugging'

Before filing the plea, the PTI chief had announced his intention to approach the apex court over the matter of audio leaks and seek the formation of a JIT to probe which intelligence agency is involved in the "bugging" of the PM House and Office.

"Audio leaks are a serious breach of national security as they call into question the entire security of the Prime Minister's Office and PM House," the former prime minister wrote on Twitter, claiming that the secure line at his residence was also bugged when he was the premier.

"We intend to go to court to establish authenticity of leaks and then form a JIT to investigate which intel agency is responsible for the bugging and who is leaking out the audios many of which are edited/doctored," he had said.

The PTI leader said that it is a critical matter as "sensitive security issues are and have been illegally recorded and subsequently hacked", which implies that the confidentiality of the country's national security has been "exposed" globally.

The PTI chief's allegation of intelligence agencies being involved in bugging came after the interior minister had categorically stated that no agency was found involved in the security breach.

The federal government had established a committee to investigate the security breach at the PM House and suggest steps to ensure safety.

It is important to note that neither the PML-N nor the PTI contradicted the contents of the audios, however, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif categorically denied that his government has any role in the matter.