Profit FIVE MORE SC JUDGES, ONE LHC JUDGE RECEIVE ‘THREAT LETTERS’ In partnership with
Saturday, 6 April, 2024 I 26 Ramazan, 1445
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Rs 20.00 | Vol XIV No 279 I 8 Pages I Islamabad Edition
NUMBER OF SC JUDGES TO RECEIVE SUSPICIOUS LETTER REACHES TEN
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JUSTICE NAJAFI’S STAFF HANDS OVER LETTER TO CTD FOR ACTION
‘Arsenic mixed’ in powder found in letters sent to SC, High Court judges: claims CTD ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
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ISLAMABAD STAFF CORRESPONDENT
IVE more members of the superior judiciary received threatening letters on Friday, bringing the total count to 10. Justice Ayesha Malik, Justice Irfan Saadat Khan, Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, Justice Syed Hasan Azhar Rizvi, and Justice Muneeb Akhtar are the latest recipients of these intimidating letters, sources disclosed. The recent influx of letters has prompted an investigation by the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD), according to insider sources. Sources also revealed that all the letters had been gathered, and traces of arsenic powder had been discovered on the envelopes addressed to Supreme Court justices. So far, a total of 10 justices have been targeted with such alarming communications. It has been further disclosed by sources that all the letters were received on the same date, although some justices have only come into possession of theirs on Friday. Meanwhile, the office of the director general (DG) of Pakistan Post issued a notification conveying specific instructions regarding mail addressed to judges, diplomats, and other highprofile individuals. Urging immediate action, the DG asked for the mail to be carefully examined and delivered to the R&I section of the relevant office. Furthermore, the director general also emphasized the safety of the postal staff handling the mail. “Ensuring the safety and security of the postal operational staff is our prime responsibil-
ity and priority,” stated the DG in his letter. Earlier in the day, Lahore High Court’s (LHC) Justice Ali Baqar Najafi became the latest target on Friday of the suspicious ‘toxic letters’ received by superior members of the judiciary over the last few days. The total number of LHC judges receiving the letter reached six. The letter received by Justice Najafi was said to have been handed over to the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD). Two days ago, eight judges, including Chief Justice Aamer Farooq of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) received letters containing an unknown powder, suspected to be laced with anthrax. A day later, the letters containing the suspi-
The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) has disclosed that forensic analysis of the powder found in the suspicious letters sent to Islamabad High Court judges has revealed the presence of arsenic. This revelation has raised serious alarms. According to reliable sources within the CTD, the forensic report revealed that the powder contained a 15% arsenic concentration. Arsenic, known for its toxicity and lethal effects, poses a severe threat to human health, particularly affecting the nervous system. The CTD is set to submit this critical forensic report to the Supreme Court within the next three to four days. Moreover, CTD investigators have obtained CCTV footage from the sub-divisional post office of the Satellite Town, capturing potential suspects near the letter boxes from where the letters were potentially posted to
the judges. Utilizing advanced identification methods, the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) is actively engaged in identifying individuals featured in the footage. In light of these developments, the CTD has initiated investigations targeting individuals deemed suspicious based on the CCTV footage. The alarming situation escalated when eight judges, including Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Qazi Faez Isa and Islamabad High Court Chief Justice Aamir Farooq, received letters containing threatening marks and a suspicious powder. Subsequently, four judges from Lahore High Court also reported receiving similar threatening letters, amplifying concerns over the safety and security of judicial officials. The gravity of the situation prompted swift action, leading to the registration of cases by the CTD. As the investigation unfolds, authorities remain vigilant, prioritizing the safety and security of judicial institutions and personnel.
cious powdery toxic substance were sent to the Supreme Court jurists, including Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa, as well as other judges of the LHC. Justice Najafi of LHC becomes latest target of ‘toxic letter’
Lahore High Court’s (LHC) Justice Ali Baqar Najafi became the latest target on Friday of the suspicious ‘toxic letters’ received by superior members of the judiciary over the last few days.
court comprising all the judges should hear the case and secret agencies should be prevented from interfering in judicial affairs. The PBC members also appealed in the application that the Judicial Council should be ordered to issue instructions on the reservations of the judges of the Islamabad High Court. It is also stated in the application that the independence of the judiciary is related to fundamental rights, and for the independence of the judiciary and the provision of justice, it is necessary to investigate the letters of the judges. On March 25, six Islam¬abad High Court judges — out of a total strength of eight — wrote a letter to the Supreme Jud¬icial Council (SJC) members regarding attempts to pressurise judges through abduction and torture of their relatives as well as secret surveillance.
The letter was signed by judges Mohsin Akhtar Kayani, Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri, Babar Sattar, Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan, Arbab Muhammad Tahir and Saman Rafat Imtiaz and addressed to the CJP and Justice Mansoor Ali Shah and Justice Munib Akhtar as well as the top judges of the Peshawar High Court and the IHC. On Saturday last, the federal cabinet had approved the constitution of an inquiry commission headed by ex-chief justice of Pakistan Tassaduq Hussain Jillani to probe allegations of inte¬rference by intelligence agencies in judicial affairs, the body has been authorised to “recommend action” against anyone from the intelligence agency, department, or government if found guilty. But the nominated commission head Justice Retired Tassaduq Hussain Jillani refused to lead the commission.
ister regarding the overall security situation of the country and the performance of the ministry. Federal Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Naqvi, heads of security agencies and relevant senior officials attended the meeting. The recent killing of Chinese nationals and attacks of facilities linked to China have emerged as a test for new government. Soon after the attacks, PM Shehbaz had instructed to conduct a thorough joint investigation, saying
the perpetrators of the barbaric act would be brought to justice swiftly. A meeting attended by the federal ministers, chief of the army staff, chief ministers, chief secretaries and inspector generals of police of respective provinces had discussed in detail the attack on innocent civilians working on a development project, meant to contribute to energy and water security of Pakistan. The COAS had reiterated the resolve of armed forces to eliminate the scourge of terrorism afflicting the country. Noting the recent surge in terrorist incidents, Gen Asim Munir had said that the enemies of Pakistan had once again underestimated the resilience and grit of the State and the people of Pakistan. Meanwhile, Pakistan had also decided to raise the issue of the use of Afghan soil in the recent terrorist attacks targeting Chinese engineers with the Taliban interim government, as the initial investigation suggested a link with Afghanistan. Though no group has claimed responsibility for the March 26 attack, it was reported, initial investigations suggest a network linked to the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) was behind the incident. Authorities have made certain arrests since then based on the SIM card recovered from the suicide bomber, who is thought to be an Afghan national.
Pakistan Bar urges SC to constitute full court over IHC judges’ letter ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) members including Abid Zuberi Friday appealed to the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court to form the full court to hear the suo moto notice of the letter written by six Islamabad High Court (IHC) judges complaining of “meddling” by intelligence agencies in judicial matters. The members of the Pakistan Bar Council have also applied to the Supreme Court to become a party in the suo moto case of the six judges’ letter. In the application, the members of the Bar Council have said that the High Court judges should be made a party in the six judges’ letter case. The PBC members have said that the full
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PM Shehbaz to ensure ‘foolproof security’ for Chinese nationals ISLAMABAD
MIAN ABRAR
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday resolved to himself oversee the meetings conducted regarding the security situation in the country in general and the security of the Chinese nationals working on different projects across the country in particular every month. Just days after an attack on Chinese engineers in Besham area of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, the prime minister has directed all the security agencies to take all the measures to ensure fool-proof security of the Chinese citizens present in Pakistan. The premier’s direction came during a highlevel meeting regarding the law and order situation in the country. The meeting has taken place after six people, including five Chinese engineers, were killed in a suicide attack in Besham, a remote area of K-P province, on March 26. An explosive-laden vehicle parked on the roadside blew up when the convoy, transporting Chinese engineers to the Dasu hydroelectric project site from Islamabad, passed by. This was the second attack on Chinese workers at the Dasu project. In July 2021, a similar terrorist attack killed 13 people, including nine engineers. In the meeting, PM Shehbaz directed to make a comprehensive plan of action for regular
audit of security SOPs. “We will continue the war against the monster of terrorism until it is eradicated from the country,” PM Shehbaz said. In addition, the premier directed the ministry of interior to increase cooperation with the provinces for the eradication of terrorism from the country and for bringing further improvement in the provincial anti-terrorism departments. The premier’s direction came after the interior ministry gave a briefing to the prime min-
Post offices, courier firms put on red alert after six more judges receive ‘toxic’ letter ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
The office of the director general (DG) of Pakistan Post issued a notification on Friday conveying specific instructions regarding mail addressed to judges, diplomats, and other high-profile individuals, days after over a dozen senior judges of the apex and high courts received powder-laced letters. Urging immediate action, the DG asked for the mail to be carefully examined and delivered to the R&I section of the relevant office. Furthermore, the director general also emphasized the safety of the postal staff handling the mail. “Ensuring the safety and security of the postal operational staff is our prime responsibility and priority,” stated the DG in his letter.
Postmaster generals were directed to provide masks and gloves to staff members to mitigate potential risks associated with handling hazardous materials. The notice explicitly instructed all postal staff to exercise extreme caution when handling letters and packages brought into the post office. “Any unattended and suspected material should be immediately reported to the supervisor on duty, local administration, and the head of the unit and circle concerned,” the notification stated. “Postal staff posted at counters, DMOs, and Delivery Post Offices should also be directed to remain vigilant while booking, sorting, transmitting, and delivering mail,” the notice added. Staff members were asked to comply
with Rule-171 of the P.O Manual Volume VI, which outlines the proper treatment of articles presented for registration, as well as Rule-122 of Volume-V, which prohibits certain articles from being transmitted by inland post. Additionally, the notification emphasized adherence to Section 23 of the Post Office Act, 1898, which delineates the authority to address postal articles posted in contravention of the act. Earlier in the day, Lahore High Court’s (LHC) Justice Ali Baqar Najafi became the latest target on Friday of the suspicious ‘toxic letters’ received by superior members of the judiciary over the last few days. The total number of LHC judges receiving the letter reached six. The letter received by Justice Najafi was said to have been
handed over to the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD). Two days ago, eight judges, including Chief Justice Aamer Farooq of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) received letters containing an unknown powder, suspected to be
Blinken makes maiden telephone call to FM Dar ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Friday telephoned his Pakistani counterpart Ishaq Dar in a maiden contact where both sides reviewed bilateral ties and discussed regional and international issues. “Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar received a telephone call from US Secretary of State Antony Blinken today (Friday),” said a statement issued by the Foreign Office (FO). The statement said both sides reiterated their dedication to strengthening bilateral cooperation across all spheres of mutual interest. A wide range of bilateral issues including enhancing trade and investment relations, climate change, agriculture, and security came under discussion, it added. The statement further said that various matters of regional importance such as the situation in Gaza, the Red Sea, and developments in Afghanistan were also discussed. Both sides expressed satisfaction with the current positive momentum in bilateral relations. The telephonic conversation between the two top diplomats came on the heels of a letter earlier written by President Joe Biden to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Biden’s letter was the first formal contact between the White House and the Prime Minister’s Office in years. The US President never reached out directly to any of the Pakistani prime ministers during his term as president. He never spoke to former prime minister Imran Khan nor interacted with his successor Shehbaz Sharif. But the latest flurry of engagements at the highest level between the two countries suggested that there seems to be a change in US policy towards Pakistan.
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laced with anthrax. A day later, the letters containing the suspicious powdery toxic substance were sent to the Supreme Court jurists, including Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa, as well as other judges of the LHC.