‘PPP is asking for share’: Another Shehbaz Sharif audio leak

Another audio leak of Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif has surfaced in which he can allegedly be heard talking about the appointment of a Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM) with an unknown person.

The unknown person is allegedly telling the premier that Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) is asking for their “shares” for SAPM as well. PM Shehbaz then asks to share a document adding that “It’s not just PPP but others as well”.

Context of the audio:

In the transcript, we have written the unidentified person as “person”.

Person: [Federal Minister For Economic Affairs of Pakistan] Ayaz Sadiq is saying PPP is asking for shares for SAPM as well.

PM Shehbaz: Yes, Bilawal had spoken to me about it.

Person: We have to appoint Zafar Mehmood and Jahanzaib. I will tell you the final number today.

PM Shehbaz: Share the document, it’s not just People’s Party (PPP) but other parties as well.

Person: Then Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI) and Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) will also ask for it. MQM is naming Malik Ahmed Ali, saying that he had a critical role in this deal

PM Shehbaz: Who?

Person: Sir, he hails from Karachi.

PM Shehbaz has formed a high-power investigation committee to probe the issue, particularly the leaks that involved the PM House.

Earlier this week, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah said that the matter of the audio leaks is not related to an agency, but a few people, who have been identified. He added that these people were from among the staff of the PM House.

Last month, PM Shehbaz and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leaders’ audios got leaked. The party didn’t deny the authenticity of the audio leaks. In one of the audio leaks, PM Shehbaz and an unidentified person talks about a power plant to be imported from India for PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz’s son-in-law.