The Supreme Court has issued the detailed verdict on the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government’s plea seeking live streaming of the hearing of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) amendment case on Saturday.

The top court rejected the plea, stating broadcasting of proceedings involving politicians can be used for political point-scoring. 

“In live-streaming cases, there is always a possibility that the facility may be misused or exploited for ulterior or personal purposes. There is also the possibility of grandstanding while the nation watches. This court must be vigilant against such misuse and/or exploitation,” states the verdict.

The apex court rejected the plea in a 4-1 verdict on May 30. Justice Athar Minallah disagreed with the majority judgement.

The five-judge larger bench under Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa and comprised Justice Aminuddin Khan, Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail, Justice Minallah and Justice Hasan Azhar Rizvi.

The order read: “When the head of a political party wants to be heard, who is not an advocate of this court, there is a real probability that these hearings may be used for political purposes and point scoring and in respect of matters which do not concern these appeals. This was a paramount consideration when we had dismissed the application. And, our apprehension proved correct later in the day.

“When Mr Niazi [PTI founder Imran Khan] addressed this Court on (30 May 2024) he also mentioned other cases, the general elections held on 8 February 2023, a commission of inquiry and his incarceration; all these matters have nothing to do with the subject matter of these appeals. This cannot be permitted as it would thwart the proper administration of justice."