ISLAMABAD: The prime minister’s (PM) office has directed the interior ministry to make strict security arrangements for the chief justice of Pakistan and his family, after his retirement, Dawn has learnt from the officials in the ministry and the police on Thursday.

A letter from the PM Office stated that two members of Chief Justice (CJ) Tassaduq Hussain Jillani had been kidnapped, yet the efforts for their recovery yielded no positive results so far. In this regard, the security of the chief justice and his family assumes additional importance, particularly after his retirement on July 5.

The letter, signed by PM Office Additional Secretary Fawad Hasan, further stated, “The prime minister is pleased to order that impeccable and foolproof arrangements of security of the chief justice shall be maintained, even after his retirement.” The letter asked the ministry to make security arrangements in both Lahore and Islamabad.

It is pertinent to mention here that a close relative of CJ Jillani, who was an official of a security agency, was kidnapped from Multan on June 16.

And Ali Haider Gillani, the son of former Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gillani who is also a close relative of the CJ, has been missing since May 9, last year.

The officials said that the family members of the victims were yet to receive ransom calls, which suggest that the motive behind the kidnapping was something else. Under such circumstances, the other important members of the family needed necessary security arrangements.

The officials further said that the arrangements were in progress to follow the PM Office instructions. “After their retirement, the judges, including the CJs, get a single gunman according to the Blue Book, which describes the judges as VIPs.”

Former CJ Mohammad Iftikhar Chaudhry was the first adjudicator who enjoyed a security protocol even after his retirement and was later given a bullet proof vehicle, they said, adding that under the directions of PM, CJ Hussain will be provided a bullet proof vehicle, along with police escort vehicles. A joint escort, comprising of personnel from Islamabad and Punjab police, will also provide security to CJ Hussain, they added.

know more: Bullet-proof car to ex-CJ under IHC orders

Similar escort vehicles, with well equipped police personnel, will be given for the security of the CJ’s family members, they said, adding that personnel of capital police will be deployed outside his residence in Islamabad, while Punjab police will perform their duty outside his house in Lahore.

The outgoing CJ took an oath for his position in December, last year. He took the charge after the retirement of former CJ Mohammad Iftikhar Chaudhry. During his career, he also led a five-member bench which acquitted PM Nawaz Sharif on Jul 17, 2009 in the plane hijacking case and ruled that all allegations, levels against him, have no relevance with PM Sharif.

Published in Dawn, July 4th, 2014