LHC directs for non-interference in judicial affairs by intelligence agencies

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) has directed the PM Office to instruct all the civil and military agencies including the Intelligence Bureau (IB) and Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) to not contact any member of the judiciary.

LHC’s Justice Shahid Karim issued a four-page written interim order on Saturday in a case pertaining to the harassment of an anti-terrorism court (ATC) judge in Sargodha.

The Sargodha ATC judge said he took charge on June 7 and on the very first day he was told that “some authority of ISI” wanted to see him in his chamber. The judge said he declined to meet the person concerned. 

He said he and his family were intimidated one way or the other. 

Former LHC chief justice Malik Shahzad Ahmad Khan had taken a suo motu notice on the judge’s complaint filed with the registrar and started proceedings. Following his elevation to the Supreme Court, Justice Karim presided over the case. 

As per SOPs issued by Justice Karim, the Prime Minister Office is obliged to direct intelligence agencies to abstain from approaching any judge or staff of high courts and subordinate courts. 

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The Punjab Inspector General (IG) of Police has also been instructed to direct officers to not interfere in judicial matters.

The security measures for anti-terrorism courts (ATC) will not be taken without the consultation and approval of the relevant judge. 

The ATC judge is responsible for recording every call. 

Punjab special courts are responsible to issue the verdict on all cases of May 9 incident on a priority basis. 

Justice Shahid Karim directed the judicial staff for assistance in the investigation of Sargodha ATC judge’s matter. 

All investigation proceedings should be video recorded and the record shall be maintained by the police as also remitted to this court through the registrar.”

The court then adjourned the hearing till July 8.