Chief Justice Malik Shahzad Ahmad of the Lahore High Court (LHC) expressed grave concern on Thursday regarding the alleged threats and harassment faced by courts and their staff from state departments. His remarks came in a written order concerning a case involving reported intimidation of a judge at a Sargodha anti-terrorism court (ATC) and interference by intelligence and law enforcement agencies.
Last week, CJ Ahmad had summoned Punjab Inspector General of Police Usman Anwar and other officials over the judge’s complaint. The LHC registrar’s office received a report from District & Sessions Judge Muhammad Abbas on June 7. Abbas detailed incidents starting from May 25, the first day of his tenure as the Sargodha ATC judge, alleging that he was summoned by an Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) authority to his chamber. Upon refusal, Abbas claimed various subsequent incidents, including firing near the ATC and questioning of his family members.
The Chief Justice had reserved his verdict on June 13 and announced it in a recent hearing. The written order lamented the state’s duty to protect courts being undermined. It cited reports alleging serious threats and hindrances to judicial proceedings caused by state departments. The order criticized the Punjab police chief’s report as unsatisfactory for not addressing whether the police verified the judge’s claims against the ISI.
The order highlighted instances where state entities obstructed judicial work, including transfer applications to move cases from Rawalpindi ATC-1, based on allegations against a judge there. The judge had cited incidents of interference during a trial involving jail authorities and intelligence agencies, affecting court proceedings.
The order also criticized the conduct of local police and Counter Terrorism Department officers in Sargodha, issuing contempt notices for their alleged disrespectful behavior towards the court. It directed them to respond in writing by the next hearing.
Serious allegations were noted against ISI Sargodha, prompting orders for reports from sector officials and federal secretaries, who had not yet responded apart from the Punjab IGP. The order stated that further contempt proceedings could be considered against other respondents depending on their responses.
CJ Ahmad instructed federal interior and defense secretaries to assist the Punjab police chief in the case. The hearing was adjourned to June 27, with Justice Shahid Karim presiding due to CJ Ahmad’s elevation to the Supreme Court.
Additionally, all reports of alleged judicial interference were to be sent to the Supreme Court registrar for consideration in a related case.
