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Letters containing a suspicious white powder have been despatched to at the very least seventeen high judges, prompting an investigation by authorities.
Islamabad, Pakistan – Greater than a dozen senior judges in Pakistan have acquired letters containing a suspicious white powder since Tuesday, prompting an investigation by authorities.
On Tuesday, all eight judges of the Islamabad Excessive Court docket acquired comparable emails, with a word in English criticizing the “justice system of Pakistan” and even mentioning the time period bacillus anthracis, in accordance with a primary data report (FIR) filed by the police within the capital Islamabad.
Bacillus anthracis is a bacterium that may trigger anthrax, a severe an infection that may be deadly if not handled instantly.
The subsequent day, 4 judges of the Supreme Court docket, together with Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa, and 5 judges of the Lahore Excessive Court docket additionally acquired comparable letters containing the suspected “poisonous” materials.
Police mentioned a lesser-known group known as Tehreek-e-Namoos Pakistan has claimed accountability for the suspicious letters.
Police officers in Islamabad and Lahore mentioned the letters and their contents have been despatched to forensic and safety consultants for investigation. Authorities haven’t but confirmed what the white powder was.
“We’re conducting our investigation and we are going to present an replace quickly as soon as now we have a breakthrough,” a police official concerned within the investigation informed Al Jazeera on situation of anonymity as a result of he was not licensed to talk to the media.
Tehreek-e-Namoos Pakistan was first heard of in September final 12 months when authorities have been alerted to a suspicious bag discovered on a luxurious walkway in Islamabad. The bag contained a letter, hand grenades, a pistol, some bullets and maps of delicate buildings within the metropolis.
Additionally in that letter, the obscure group had criticized the “justice system” and mentioned that they had determined to “train a lesson to judges and generals.” The investigation into the incident has began.
The venomous emails to high judges got here a couple of week after six judges of the Islamabad Excessive Court docket wrote a scathing open letter to the Supreme Court docket, alleging that Pakistan’s primary spy company, the Inter-Companies Intelligence (ISI), had interfered in authorized issues.
The judges mentioned the ISI had used “intimidating” ways similar to secret surveillance and even kidnapping and torture of their family to affect their selections in “politically consequential” circumstances, together with towards jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan.
The ISI and the Pakistan Military haven’t but responded to the allegations.
The federal government, on its half, fashioned a one-member committee to analyze the matter. Nonetheless, the retired decide appointed to the committee refused to take accountability. Subsequently, the Supreme Court docket constituted a seven-member bench to analyze the allegations within the judges’ unprecedented letter.
The courtroom’s first listening to occurred on Wednesday, with Chief Justice Isa saying there will likely be “zero tolerance” with regards to threats to the independence of the judiciary. The subsequent Supreme Court docket listening to on the case will happen on April 29.
Karachi-based lawyer Abdul Moiz Jaferii mentioned the judges receiving allegedly poisonous letters “appears fairly peculiar and weird due to the timing”.
“From the contents of the letter that was despatched, along with the so-called poisonous substance contained inside it, it’s troublesome to determine any frequent motive as to why these judges acquired these letters,” Jaferii informed Al Jazeera.
Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir, a human rights lawyer in Islamabad, mentioned it ought to be investigated whether or not the letters to the judges are “substantial or a fraud.”
Lahore-based lawyer Rida Hosain agreed, saying that judges being ‘explicitly intimidated’ is a matter that requires severe and pressing consideration.
“No authorized system can operate if judges are threatened. It instantly impacts the flexibility of the judges to determine circumstances with out worry and favour,” she informed Al Jazeera.
Greater than a dozen Pakistani judges obtain letters containing ‘toxic’ powder | Courts Information
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