LHC orders PM Office to restrict agencies from approaching, contacting judges

Lahore: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Saturday directed the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) to issue instructions to all civil and military agencies, including the Intelligence Bureau (IB) and Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), against contacting or approaching “any judge” or member of their staff.

Justice Shahid Karim issued the directions in a written order on a complaint filed by an anti-terrorism court (ATC) judge in Sargodha against harassment after he allegedly refused to meet officials of an intelligence agency.

The suo motu notice was taken by former LHC chief justice Malik Shahzad Ahmad Khan on the ATC judge's complaint. However, Justice Karim took over the proceedings after Khan's elevation to the Supreme Court.

Justice Karim, during the previous hearing, issued instructions to the prime minister to lay down guidelines for the security agencies. He said that it was the responsibility of higher authorities to ensure the prevention of such incidents.

The written order states that no agency should "approach or contact" a judge whether of superior judiciary or sub-ordinate judiciary or any member of their staff in the future.