- Suspicious letters handed over to Counter-Terrorism Department for further investigation
- CJP should refer judges’ letter to full court for judicial independence: PTI Spokesperson
ISLAMABAD: In the midst of a debate raging over the six judges’ letter against the alleged interference in judicial affairs, eight judges of the Islamabad High Court (IHC), including Chief Justice Aamer Farooq, on Tuesday received threatening letters filled with an unknown powder. This incident has sparked fears of intimidation and raised concerns about the safety and security of the judiciary.
IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq confirmed to have received the letter, stating the incident contributed to delays in the day’s hearings. The IHC CJ said that apparently the high court had been threatened through these letters.
Upon receiving the letters, the high court authorities called in a team of experts along with the IG and DIG of the Islamabad Police promptly.
According to the IHC officials, the letters were sent to eight High Court judges in separate envelopes and were carrying “suspicious powder.” The sources claimed that the staffers of two judges opened the letters and found “suspicious powder inside.” Subsequently, the staffer experienced burning and irrigation in their eyes and on their skin. Swift action was taken, with affected individuals using sanitizer and washing their hands as a precautionary measure.
Last week, six judges of the IHC penned a letter to the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC), expressing their concerns about alleged interference by intelligence agencies in the court’s affairs. This development has put a spotlight on the delicate balance between judicial independence and external influence.
Sources close to the investigation indicated that the letters contained signs of intimidation and were sent by a woman who did not disclose her address. The letters were addressed to multiple judges, heightening concerns about the safety of the judiciary.
It has been revealed that the letters were purportedly written by a woman named Resham, wife of Waqar Hussain. This revelation has led authorities to summon the Inspector General of Islamabad Police and the Deputy Inspector General of Security to address the matter urgently.
Additionally, the suspicious letters have been handed over to the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) for further investigation.
The incident caused panic and concerns among the legal community, who calls for enhanced security measures to safeguard judges and court personnel. As the investigation unfolds, there is a growing urgency to ensure the protection of judicial independence and uphold the rule of law in the face of external threats and intimidation tactics.
‘PTI seeks thorough probe into threatening letters’
Alarmed at the ‘threatening letters’ to eight judges of the IHC, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) demanded a thorough and immediate investigation into the threatening letters with an unknown powder sent to eight judges of the Islamabad High Court (IHC).
Reacting to the threatening letter received by eight IHC judges, PTI Spokesperson said that prima facie, the letter containing deadly and poisonous substance was clearly intended to intimidate the IHC judges and to force them to withdraw from the letter sent to the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC).
He said that after these letters, the decisive investigation and action in the matter of interference in the judicial affairs increased manifold.
PTI Spokesperson demanded that special measures should be taken for the safety and security of the six judges and their families.
He urged that the Chief Justice of Pakistan should refer the judges’ letter to the full court sans any further delay to take the matter to its logical conclusion through open proceedings so as to ensure judicial independence and protect judges from bullying and threats.
