Threatening Letters Sent to Islamabad High Court Judges Amidst Allegations of Interference
Threatening Letters Sent to Islamabad High Court Judges Amidst Allegations of Interference
Eight judges of the Islamabad High Court, including Chief Justice Aamer Farooq, have reportedly received threatening letters filled with suspicious substances, raising concerns about the security of the judiciary in Pakistan. This development comes in the wake of allegations of interference by the country’s powerful intelligence agencies in judicial matters.
According to a media report, the threatening letters were received shortly after six judges of the Islamabad High Court addressed a letter to Supreme Court Chief Justice Qazi Faes Isa, expressing concerns about meddling in judicial affairs by intelligence agencies. Chief Justice Aamer Farooq confirmed the reception of these letters during a court hearing, noting that they contributed to delays in the day’s proceedings.
Upon opening the letters, staff members of two judges discovered powder inside, resulting in burning sensations in their eyes. Immediate precautions were taken, with affected individuals using sanitizer and washing their hands. A team of experts from the Islamabad police is currently examining the suspicious powder, and investigations have revealed that the letters were purportedly written by a woman.
The court authorities have taken swift action, summoning the police to address the matter urgently. Additionally, the letters have been handed over to the counter-terrorism department for further investigation. This incident unfolds just a day after Chief Justice Isa announced plans to hold suo motu proceedings into the letter by the Islamabad High Court judges regarding alleged interference by intelligence agencies in judicial matters.
The situation underscores the delicate balance between the judiciary and the intelligence apparatus in Pakistan, highlighting the need for transparent and impartial investigations into such serious allegations.
