Eight judges, including Chief Justice Aamer Farooq of the Islamabad High Court (IHC), received letters containing an unknown powder, suspected to be anthrax. This incident occurred just a day after the Supreme Court of Pakistan began suo motu proceedings over allegations by IHC’s chief justice and other judges against spy agencies. This has raised fears of intimidation and concerns about judiciary safety.
Last week, six judges from the IHC voiced concerns to the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) about alleged interference by intelligence agencies.
Workers from two judges found powder in the letters. It made their eyes burn. Immediate action was taken, with affected individuals using sanitizer and washing their hands as a precaution.
IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq confirmed receiving the letters, which caused delays in hearings. Upon discovery of the suspicious powder, experts from Islamabad Police arrived to examine it.
Sources revealed that the letters, displaying signs of intimidation, were sent by a woman who did not disclose her address. Additionally, the letters were addressed to multiple judges, intensifying concerns.
Officials revealed that the letters were allegedly written by a woman named Resham, who is the wife of Waqar Hussain. The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) is investigating the incident.
The development came after the Supreme Court formed a seven-member bench, headed by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa, to address the issue raised by six IHC judges.
Last week’s letter led to a crisis, prompting pressure on the Supreme Court to adjudicate on the matter. Over 300 lawyers commended the judges’ actions and urged the apex court to intervene.
A case was filed at the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) Police Station based on a complaint from a branch clerk who received and sent the mail.
