Three LHC judges receive threat letters with suspicious substances following threats to eight IHC judges
Amid allegations of interference by Pakistan’s spy agencies in judicial matters, three judges of Lahore High Court (LHC) received suspicious letters containing an unknown powder, a day after eight judges of Islamabad High Court received similar letters. The letters are suspected to contain anthrax powder, causing concern for the safety of the judges.
Security has been heightened in and around the LHC, with forensic teams examining the letters and the suspicious powder. The letters were aimed at targeting judges of the IHC and LHC in response to recent suo moto notices taken by the Supreme Court regarding alleged threats and interference by intelligence agencies in judicial matters.
In response to the incident, the Supreme Court of Pakistan formed a one-member inquiry committee to investigate the matter. However, concerns were raised by lawyers and bar associations, prompting Chief Justice to take suo moto notice. The investigation revealed the sender of the letters, without an address mentioned, was a woman named Resham, wife of Waqas Hussain.
During the first hearing of the suo moto case, the judges emphasized zero tolerance towards any intervention by entities, including spy agencies, in judicial matters. They acknowledged the long-standing issue of interference in judicial matters and stressed the importance of upholding the Constitution and protecting fundamental rights.
The hearing was adjourned until April 29, with Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa expressing the intention to hear the case on a daily basis thereafter. Suspicions arise that the threatening letters with dangerous powder may be orchestrated by spy agencies to intimidate and weaken the judiciary. The situation highlights the ongoing challenges faced in ensuring the independence and integrity of the judicial system.
