LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) directed the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) on Saturday to instruct all civil and military agencies, including the Intelligence Bureau (IB) and Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), to refrain from contacting or approaching any judge or their staff.
Justice Shahid Karim issued this directive in a written order in response to a complaint from an anti-terrorism court (ATC) judge in Sargodha, who reported harassment after allegedly refusing to meet with intelligence agency officials.
The suo motu notice was initially taken up by former LHC chief justice Malik Shahzad Ahmad Khan following the ATC judge’s complaint. Justice Karim assumed responsibility for the proceedings after Khan’s elevation to the Supreme Court.
During the previous hearing, Justice Karim instructed the prime minister to establish guidelines for the security agencies, emphasizing the higher authorities’ responsibility to prevent such incidents.
The written order specifies that no agency should “approach or contact” any judge, whether from the superior or subordinate judiciary, or any member of their staff in the future.
