Former ruling party Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) has filed an application in the Supreme Court seeking a probe into the purported audio leaks of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his ministers, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

Through the application filed in the apex court on Saturday, the PTI pleaded that criminal action should be taken against Shehbaz Sharif and his cabinet members after the inquiry into audio leaks.

The applicant insisted the court should set up an inquiry commission which will quiz Shehbaz Sharif and Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah. Ministers Azam Nazeer Tarar, Khawaja Asif, Ahsan Iqbal, Ayaz Sadiq and National Assembly Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf should also be questioned, the PTI added.

The party added the audio leaks had made it clear that a conspiracy had been hatched to sideline the PTI from mainstream politics. These audio leaks showed the PTI was targeted through a criminal conspiracy, hatched by government ministers in collusion with National Assembly speaker and secretary, the party added.

The PTI prayed to the court to take “judicial notice” before this issue triggers any “new situation”.

Reporter Amanat Gishkori