Shehbaz Sharif announces a government-led probe following the receipt of threatening letters containing a suspicious powder aimed at Supreme Court and high court judges

In a significant development, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has declared that the government will conduct a thorough investigation into the threatening letters sent to judges of the Supreme Court and high courts in Islamabad and Lahore. These letters, suspected to contain anthrax, were received by eight judges from the Islamabad High Court (IHC) and three from the Lahore High Court.

During a cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Sharif emphasized the seriousness of the situation, stating, “We should show full responsibility on this and not let any kind of politics near this matter,” as reported by Dawn News. He assured that the government would handle the investigation with a sense of responsibility.

The threatening letters, which arrived in white envelopes sealed with cello tape and addressed to the judges, accused them of being responsible for the populace’s woes. Upon discovery of a suspicious white powder in the letters by the staff of two judges, the IHC registrar was alerted, leading to the involvement of police officials responsible for the court’s security.

A First Information Report (FIR) has been registered, noting that the letters were sent with an incomplete sender’s address and included a photo and the English term “Bacillus Anthracis,” explicitly indicating a threat. Similar letters were later received by the Supreme Court and the Lahore High Court, leading to the registration of two cases by the Counter-Terrorism Department in Islamabad and Lahore. 

The letters criticized the judicial system, referring to it as rescuing evil, and contained threats directed at Supreme Court judges, including Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa and others.

This incident occurs in the wake of a letter sent by six IHC judges to the Supreme Judicial Council, alleging interference by the country’s security apparatus in judicial matters. Prime Minister Sharif referenced the Supreme Court’s suo motu proceedings concerning these allegations and highlighted the government’s efforts to address the issue, including a meeting with Chief Justice Isa to discuss the formation of an inquiry commission.

The situation has heightened security measures around the higher courts and the high-security zone, with Islamabad Police conducting checks and reminding citizens to carry identification documents. This investigation into the threatening letters marks a critical moment in Pakistan’s judicial and political landscape, underscoring the challenges faced by the judiciary and the government’s commitment to ensuring their safety and integrity.