Eight judges were targeted with suspicious substances, raising serious security concerns for Pakistan’s judiciary
In a concerning development from Islamabad, eight judges of the Islamabad High Court, including Chief Justice Aamer Farooq, have been the recipients of threatening letters filled with a suspicious substance. This unsettling event occurs amidst rising allegations of interference in judicial affairs by Pakistan’s powerful intelligence agencies. The incident has escalated security worries surrounding the judiciary, spotlighting the tense relationship between the country’s intelligence apparatus and its judicial system.
Chief Justice Farooq confirmed the reception of these ominous letters during a court hearing, noting their contribution to delays in judicial proceedings. Reports from The Express Tribune indicate that upon opening the letters, staff members of two judges encountered a powder that caused eye irritation and burning sensations, prompting immediate precautionary measures such as hand washing and sanitization.
A team of experts from the Islamabad police is currently analyzing the suspicious substance to determine its nature and potential risks. Initial findings suggest that the letters were sent by a woman, although the motivation and exact identity behind these actions remain under investigation. In response to this incident, court authorities have escalated the situation to the police, urging swift action, and have handed the letters over to the counter-terrorism department for a thorough investigation.
This episode of intimidation comes on the heels of a public letter from six Islamabad High Court judges to Supreme Court Chief Justice Qazi Faes Isa, in which they voiced concerns over undue meddling in judicial processes by intelligence agencies. The gravity of these allegations and the subsequent threat to the judges have ignited discussions on the autonomy of Pakistan’s judiciary and the shadowy influence of intelligence operations within the state’s legal framework.
Chief Justice Isa has taken a proactive stance in light of these developments, announcing the initiation of suo motu proceedings to delve into the judges’ complaints about intelligence agency interference. This move underscores the judiciary’s intent to preserve its independence and safeguard its members against any form of coercion or intimidation.
