ISLAMABAD - The sub-committee of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage yesterday asked the Sindh government to submit a detailed report over leaked video of PPP’s ex-minister Dr Asim Hussain in the next meeting.

The sub-committee meeting, chaired by its convener Imran Leghari, expressed displeasure over the absence of federal interior secretary in the meeting.

Deputy Inspector General Karachi East Police Dr Kamran told the meeting that the two investigation officers of the Sindh police had given statements on oath that they did not record any video of Dr Asim during his 16-day custody. He said that his department had written a letter to Rangers and National Accountability Bureau to inform, if they had recorded any video statement of the accused, while he was in their custody, but so far no reply had been given.

He also said that the police had filed an application in the court seeking an interview with Dr Asim to ascertain who made the leaked video.

Imran Leghari said the committee would write letters to NAB and Rangers for cooperation with Sindh police in this regard, otherwise the committee would take action under rules of procedures. He also said that if the interior secretary failed to appear in next meeting, action would be taken against him.

Committee member Talal Chaudhry said police were asked to inform the committee if the video recording of the accused was legal requirement or the videos were made illegally. He said the police should present the interim reply before the report could be finalised.

Chairman Pakistan Electronic Media Regularity Authority (Pemra) Absar Alam also briefed the committee over Authority’s code of conduct and said that Pakistan Broadcasters Association had no objection over the code of conduct, difference of opinion was only on implementation mechanism.

Talall Chaudhry said the government did not want to impose any restriction on the freedom of expression, but it seemed that the owners of media houses were not interested in implementation of the code of conduct and the responsibilities related to their employees.

The meeting was attended by Additional Secretary Home Department Sindh Mohsin Shah and Additional IG Sindh Police, officials of Ministry of Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage.