Islamabad: National Security Committee (NSC) approved constitution of a high-level committee to probe recently surfaced audio leaks featuring candid conversations between key figures in coalition government and instructed Ministry of Law to prepare a "legal framework" regarding cyber security.

Meeting of NSC, which is highest forum for coordination on security issues, was chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. It was attended by ministers for defence, energy, information and broadcasting, interior, finance, human rights, planning, development and special initiatives, chairman joint chiefs of staff committee, services chiefs, national security adviser and senior officers.

According to a statement issued by Prime Minister's Office high-level committee will be headed by Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah.

During meeting, heads of intelligence institutions gave a detailed briefing to participants on security of PM's House and other important places.

"Meeting was told that an investigation is being conducted on issue of audios circulating on social media. It was briefed about certain aspects related to security of Prime Minister's House and fool-proof arrangements taken to remedy them."

Statement reads that meeting's participants were informed that emergency measures were being taken to ensure security of Prime Minister's House and other important places, buildings and ministries in order to "avoid any such situation in future".

An audio leak allegedly of former Premier Imran Khan and his principal secretary at time, Azam Khan surfaced in which two were discussing diplomatic cypher. Purported audio file starts midway through a conversation between two and is titled 'Story of cypher conspiracy part 1'.

In the audio clip, Imran is heard saying: “We only have to play on this. We don’t have to name [any country]. We only have to play with this, that this date was [decided] before.”Second voice then adds that whatever Qureshi then FM reads out in meeting, "Will be changed in copy" and then "I will make minutes that foreign secretary has prepared this". Voice further states that analysis would be conducted and converted into minutes "as we want" so that "it becomes part of record". "Minutes will be under my hand so it is not like they will draft minutes on their own.".

He is then asked by a voice, allegedly of Imran, who else would be attending meeting, besides two of them, Qureshi and foreign secretary Sohail.

His question is met with an affirmative, "That is all". "Let's do this tomorrow only," PTI chief supposedly responds.

Published in The Daily National Courier, September, 29 2022

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