In a reply submitted to the IHC in the audio leaks case, the PMO said that the Investigation for Fair Trial Act of 2013 provides a legal framework for audios to be recorded.

However, the PMO clarified that it does not interefere in the ‘sensitive’ affairs of intelligence agencies on a day-to-day basis.

The reply added that PMO keeps a ‘distant’ relationship with the intelligence agencies and meddling in their affairs is in the interest of neither the agencies or national security.

The PMO did say that it expects the intelligence agencies to work within the ambit of the law and the constitution.

Read:IHC asks which agencies can record audios legally

The reply adds that it is important to prevent the recorded audios from being leaked. It adds that keeping data from leaking is also required under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act ordinance.

Justice Babar Sattar had asked the government to submit a reply on whether a legal framework exists for recording audios. The reply from the government had been sought in petitions filed by Najam Saqib, son of former Chief Justice Saqib Nisar, who was summoned to a parliamentary committee after an audio allegedly belonging to him was leaked to the media.

The judge had not only questioned if recording audios was legal but had also questioned who was capable of doing it.

The federal government had asked the court to dispose of the case at the last hearing on October 30. However, Justice Sattar had adjourned the hearing and asked for a reply to be filed by the government.