Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Former chief justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry on Friday urged the Interior Ministry to provide foolproof security to the Supreme Court building, judges and their families.

In a letter, a copy of which also dispatched to the office of SC Registrar, Chaudhry highlighted the threats being made by Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) leaders against the Joint Investigation Team (JIT), formed under the top court’s April 20 verdict probing Sharifs’ assets.

The three-page letter stated that the implementation bench and the JIT were set to complete the process of final determination, based on materials being collected.

“The supporters of the prime minister, including ministers, members of the National Assembly as well as senators have left no stone unturned in undermining the institution of the judiciary. One of their leaders alleged that SC has pointed guns at the Sharif family,” the letter stated. “Similarly, one of them has equated JIT to a “butcher’s shop”. Another senator crossed all limits by threatening judges as well as their children in his speech. Initially, he tendered his resignation, but subsequently withdrew it,” the letter stated.

“Under the circumstances and looking at the previous record of the PML-N, it becomes clear that they can even attack the SC as had happened in 1997 when a full-fledged attack had been launched against the SC bench headed by the then chief justice Sajjad Ali Shah. Later, culprits belonging to Mian Nawaz Sharif’s party were found guilty,” the letter stated.

“In view of the above undisputed narrations of facts, I (Iftikhar Chaudhry) seek the attention of the Interior Ministry of Pakistan, to ensure foolproof security of the SC, the judges and their families as well the members of the JIT and their families, including residences occupied by them. This is their right of protection of life as provided under Article 9 of the Constitution,” the letter stated.

He said that all executive authorities were also bound to act in aid of the Supreme Court under Article 190 of the Constitution.