Patch-up leak

An audio leak underscored the extensive double-dealing prevalent in the Pakistani political milieu and the pitiable state it is in. The audio leak recording purported notorious real-estate wheeler–dealer Malik Riaz calling former president Asif Zardari informing him that Imran Khan is persistently asking him to patch matters up between him and the PPP. The almost 32-second conversation, the date and time of which is not confirmed, came two days after Imran Khan abruptly ended his much-hyped Azadi march amidst speculation of behind-the-scenes contacts between him and the establishment. Though the PTI immediately declared the audio fake, the PPP leadership remained non-committal, while a number of party leaders said it seemed genuine. Many political pundits confirmed that Malik Riaz had been playing the role of a mediator after submission of the no-confidence motion against Imran Khan that wrapped-up his government. Though the audio-leak is the latest addition to an unending spate of audio-visual leaks but no one has ever claimed responsibility of such leaks. People apparently take more to the leaks instead of realising that this is a dangerous method of denigrating reputations and that it has the devastating potential to boomerang. TW

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