Video row rages on, Maryam claims more footage of judge

Tariq Butt

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President and daughter of imprisoned former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, Maryam says she has more videos of accountability court Judge Arshad Malik, who convicted her father because of pressure and blackmailing, which will be released at an appropriate time.

One of them, she told Geo TV, was recorded when the judge was in Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah.

She confirmed that the judge met some PML-N leaders during his stay in Saudi Arabia.

Maryam stated the judge had said he went to perform Umrah as he was feeling burden of sin for handing verdict against Sharif.

She said she was holding consultations with legal experts and would approach the Supreme Court or any other forum on the issue of the video.

“But it is a matter of history that we face punishment whenever we approach courts,” she said.

The PML-N leader said that the government had already conducted forensic audit of the released video and confirmed its authenticity.

“That is why the government has taken U-turn and is escaping from its forensic audit,” she said and added that the video was found real and that was why the government has taken U-turn.

It is stated that Malik was secretly filmed multiple times talking about Sharif’s case.

According to PML-N leaders, these videos do not involve Nasir Butt (who was seen sitting next to the judge in the leaked recoding released by the Maryam a few days back).

It is alleged that the judge had also interacted with a few other persons, who also made videos of the alleged confession and some other really explosive disclosures by the judge.

The most recently filmed video of the judge, meeting an important person associated with the PML-N and the Sharif family, was almost a month back. It was filmed outside Pakistan during the judge’s recent foreign visit. The Sharif family has got all these videos and has so far released only parts of what the judge allegedly interacted with Nasir Butt.

The most explosive material, which Maryam also vaguely referred to in her last press conference, is part of the video filmed in Pakistan but it is other than those covering the judge’s sittings with Nasir Butt.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Imran Khan has decided to stay away from the video leak controversy.

The prime minister told a group of official spokesmen that video tape scandal must be investigated but on the initiative of the superior judiciary and not by the government.

He said the judges and judiciary were working independently and not answerable to the government.

“We want the judiciary should order forensic audit of the video tape and whatever decision the judiciary will take in this regard the government will fully facilitate it,” Imran was quoted as saying.

He said the government would not allow anyone to attack the country’s prestige and state institutions. “All conspiracy to make institutions controversial will be foiled,” he added.

The prime minister said the PML-N had a history of threatening and attacking the judiciary, but accountability of its leaders would continue.

However, before the prime minister’s decision to stay away from the controversy, leaders of the Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf (PTI) had been demanding forensic audit of the video tape.

In a separate development, an accountability court on Tuesday summoned Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice-President Maryam, daughter of former deposed Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, to appear in a case related to the fake trust deed in the Avenfield apartments case.

On a plea filed by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), Judge Muhammad Bashir issued notice to Maryam asking her to appear in his court on July 19.

In a series of tweets, Maryam reacted very angrily. “Didn’t I predict that? Wasn’t I expecting that? Didn’t I know what was coming? Didn’t I know the lowest this infamous gang can stoop to? Yes, I did. Make no mistake.”

She also sought her supporters’ advice whether she should boycott this proven vendetta or should appear before the court to make everything clear. You have called me on your risk. You will not be able to hear or bear what I will say. Then, you will repent.”

According to the NAB, the trust deed Maryam presented in the Avenefield case was fake and requested a trial against her for fraudulent documents.