Nisar calls for probe into interrogation-video leaks

The broadcast of three leaked interrogation videos of two high-profile suspects by Pakistani TV channels has caught the attention of Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan who termed the act "illegal and unethical."

He also asked the Sindh government to find out which investigating agency was behind the leaks.

In a statement issued in Islamabad on Saturday, Khan said "the cases would be decided in courts and not through a media trial," adding that "such kinds of coverage weakens the cases (of the prosecution) instead of strengthening them."

On Wednesday and Thursday, TV channels broadcasted two video statements of former minister for petroleum Dr Asim, in which he was seen levelling allegations against former president Asif Zardari and his foster brother Owais Muzaffar.

On Friday, another 37-second video statement of Muttahida Qaumi Movement worker Minhaj Qazi was aired in which he implicated a former provincial lawmaker in the 18-year-old Hakim Said murder case.

Khan has also urged the Pakistan Media Regulatory Authority to evolve a mechanism for curbing such incidents.

Reacting to his statement, senior senator Saeed Ghani of the PPP told Dawn that Chaudhry Nisar should start the investigation from himself, as it was he who first threatened to make public the video recording of Dr Asim's interrogation and joint investigation team report.