Questions have been raised on judiciary after allegations from within: Fazl

• Fazl says conspiracies took place against Nawaz, others.
• 'We respect the courts but are also hurt,' he says. 
  
• PDM to take 'final' and 'important decisions' in December 6 meeting, says Fazl.

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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) President Maulana Fazlur Rehman said Tuesday that the judiciary's integrity had come into question after recent allegations "from within". 

The JUI-F chief, speaking to the media, was referring to the recent affidavit submitted by former Gilgit-Baltistan chief justice Rana Shamim and an audio clip that allegedly features the voice of ex-chief justice of Pakistan Saqib Nisar.

Fazl was speaking to the media after a PDM meeting, saying that the "conspiracies" that took place against former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, his party and leaders of other political parties, were in reality conspiracies against the country and its democracy. 

"We respect the courts but are also hurt," he said, referring to the Rana Shamim affidavit and the alleged Justice (retd) Saqib Nisar audio clip. 

The JUI-F leader said that the recent controversies had raised questions on the freedom and independence of the judiciary. "With a heavy heart, we think that they [judiciary] will have to regain their status through their character," he added. 

The PDM leader said that these conspiracies were the main reason why Pakistan was facing an economic crisis today. 

Fazl said that the PDM will hold its next meeting on December 6 where the Opposition alliance will take "final and important decisions."

The JUI-F chief said the entire nation was demanding an independent election commission. "It is totally unacceptable to clip the ECP's wings," he said, adding that the Constitution already lays down the powers of the commission.

Fazl lashed out at the "fake government", saying that it had promised the government one 10 million jobs but had "stolen" over 5 million so far from the people.

He said that the joint Opposition will play a role in guaranteeing that overseas Pakistanis "have representation in the Parliament", warning them not to get caught up in the government's "lies".

Speaking about the electronic voting machines (EVMs), he said the government wanted to hold elections when the world had rejected the same process. 

"We reject this pre-poll rigging," he said, referring to the government's move to pass laws relating to the voting machines. 

Taking aim at the government's economic policies, Fazl said it had made the State Bank a "branch of the IMF".

Opposition agree on 'no compromise' over Saqib Nisar's alleged audio clip

Earlier, sources told Geo News that the Opposition alliance discussed the alleged audio leak of the former chief justice in which he allegedly tells another person that Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz will have to be punished to make space for Imran Khan in politics. 

Sources said the Opposition leaders have decided to raise the issue on a national level. 

Per sources, the members of the Opposition present during the meeting agreed that the audio clip was another proof of the alleged conspiracy to oust an elected prime minister (Nawaz Sharif) from office. 

JUI-F chief and PDM President Maulana Fazlur Rehman has thrown his weight behind the decision to hold a long march in Islamabad and for Opposition lawmakers to resign from the assemblies when the caravan reaches there., confirmed sources. 

The PDM has also agreed on challenging the government's laws on EVMs and electoral in the Supreme Court of Pakistan. 

Senators Farooq H Naik, Azam Nazir Tarar and Kamran Murtaza have been tasked to prepare a strategy in this regard, added sources. 

Nisar refutes allegations, says audio clip 'fabricated'

In the audio clip, then chief justice Saqib Nisar can be heard purportedly saying that "even though there are no cases against Maryam Nawaz, she would still have to be punished."

Speaking to Geo News on Sunday, Nisar refused to accept that it was his voice and termed it fabricated. "The audio clip is being falsely associated with me," he had stated.

When the audio was initially leaked, Nisar had said that the report was "contrary to facts" and had categorically denied that he had ever directed any of his subordinate judges in connection with any judicial order whether it pertained to Nawaz Sharif, Shehbaz Sharif, Maryam Nawaz, or anyone else.