Ex-CJP demands security of SC judges, JIT members

ISLAMABAD: Former Chief Justice of Pakistan and President of the Pakistan Justice and Democratic Party, Iftikhar Muhammad Chaurdhry, has demanded foolproof security of the Supreme Court and the Judges and their families as well as Members of the Joint Investigation (JIT) in the wake of threatening and ferocious statements being issued by the ministers and supports of the incumbent government, undermining the institution of judiciary.

The former chief justice feared that companions of the prime minister would not even
 avoid to attack on Supreme Court building as it had happened in 1997 when a full-fledged attack was launched on the Bench of Supreme Court, and the culprits belonging to the political party of Mian Mohammed Nawaz Sharif were found guilty.

In a letter dispatched to the Ministry of Interior secretary and Supreme Court of Pakistan’s registrar, the former CJP sought indulgence of the Interior Ministry to ensure foolproof security of the Supreme Court and the judges and their families as well the members of the JIT and their kith and kin, including residences occupied by them immediately. 

He said that this being their right of protection of life as provided under Article 9 of the Constitution. In addition to it, he said all executive authorities are also bound to act in aid of the Supreme Court under Article 190 of the Constitution.

I, being former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, am keenly watching proceedings of the “Panama Case”, particularly hearing by the Special Implementation Bench, meant to supervise process of probe being conducted by the JIT, constituted by the court in pursuance of its judgement dated 20 th April, 2017, the former chief justice wrote. 

He said that in Panama case, unfortunately the prime minister of Pakistan and his family are being questioned for allegations alleged against them before the Supreme Court and JIT,  the prime minister being head of political party as well as the Government of Pakistan obviously is in a position, directly or indirectly, to exert his influence on the JIT.

The former chief justice said that during the hearing of Panama Case by the Supreme Court, and now when the Implementation Bench and JIT are set to complete process of final determination, based on material being collected. 

He, however, said that the supporters of prime minister, including ministers, members of National Assembly as well as senators, have left no stone unturned to use threatening and ferocious statement to undermine the institution of judiciary in as much as one of their leaders alleged that the Supreme Court has pointed out guns towards Sharif Family. 

Similarly, one of them has equated the JIT with as a “Butcher Shop”, whereas one of their senators, namely Nehal Hashmi, crossed all limits in advancing life threats to the judges as well as their children in his speech being televised widely by media; initially he tendered his resignation from the seat of Senate, but subsequently withdrew the same”, the ex-CJP said.

He said that looking previous record of the prime minster and his companions’ attitude towards the institution which is not likely to deliver verdict as per their desire, they would not even avoid to attack on it as it had happened in 1997 when a full-fledged attack was launched on the Bench of the Supreme Court headed, by the then Chief Justice late  Sajjad  Ali  Shah. 

He said that the culprits belonging to the political party of Mian Mohammed Nawaz Sharif were found guilty, later on for the offence of contempt of court (200 SCMR 1969) “Shahid  Orakzai vs. Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and 8 others.