Lowdown on JIT members collected as per routine: IB

ISLAMABAD: The Director General (DG) of the Intelligence Bureau (IB) on Saturday confirmed to the Supreme Court (SC) collection of the lowdown on members of the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) probing the allegations of financial irregularities and money laundering involving Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his family for establishing properties abroad.

Director General Intelligence Bureau (IB) Aftab Sultan in a two-page letter submitted in the Supreme Court admitted that the lowdown on JIT members was collected because of the high-profile nature of the Panama Papers case.

Meanwhile, Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan called upon the Supreme Court (SC) to take notice of Whatsapp calls.

“It is hereby confirmed that the lowdown on the JIT members has been collected since PanamaLeaks case is a high-profile case having serious repercussions on the political fabric of the country,” he contended adding as to how the said lowdown leaked was a matter of great concern and was being investigated.

The court was informed that the Directorate General of Intelligence Bureau gathered intelligence on matters having bearing on national importance.

“As a regular practice, the bureau collects the lowdown on the government personnel and other subjects of interest working on important positions. Such lowdown is maintained for ready reference,” the DG said.

The Intelligence Bureau however categorically denied allegations of involvement in hacking the Facebook account of JIT member Bilal Rasool or his family. The IB also denied infringing upon privacy or harassing any JIT member or the members of their families.

“The Bureau, however, categorically denies allegations of hacking of facebook of Bilal Rasool or his family, or infringing upon privacy and causing harassment of any JIT member or his family.”

It is pertinent to mention here that the IB, the other day, denied allegations of hacking of the Facebook accounts of JIT member Bilal Rasool or his family.

“The lowdown on member of the JIT was done under the Standard Operating Procedures (SoPs) thus, the allegations leveled against it were vehemently denied”, the IB maintained.