Arsenic found in powder sent to judges: CTD

ISLAMABAD: An investigation by the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) revealed that the powder sent to judges at the Supreme Court (SC), Islamabad High Court (IHC), and the Lahore High Court (LHC) contained arsenic, a highly toxic compound.

Forensic testing confirmed the white powder to be arsenic, a substance commonly used in small quantities for fortifying chicken feed and pest control. However, it can prove lethal in higher dosages.

Read more: Judges’ letter issue will be fully probed: PM

On Tuesday, the IHC received threatening letters via ordinary mail, addressed to all serving judges in the capital’s court. Upon opening the parcels, the judges’ secretaries discovered a suspicious powder inside.

Meanwhile, judges at the LHC received similar threatening letters that led the counter-terrorism units in Lahore and Islamabad to register cases against unidentified individuals. The cases include charges of terrorism and other serious offenses.

The letters were quickly sent to a forensic laboratory for analysis, with authorities expecting a “quick arrest” of the culprits based on intelligence and forensic evidence.

Arsenic is a natural substance found everywhere on earth. The toxic substance poses serious threats to human health regardless of age or underlying health conditions.

Read more:Lahore counter-terrorism unit investigates threatening letters to judges

Prolonged exposure to arsenic can lead to a wide variety of health issues, including damaging entire organs in the body. Long term exposure to arsenic causes cardiovascular issues, disrupts a person’s endocrine system, weakens immune system, and severely damages the functioning of the liver, kidneys, and bladder.