LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Monday allowed the federal government an opportunity to submit a written reply in a matter relating to the harassment of an anti-terrorism court judge in Sargodha.

A federal law officer informed the court that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was out of the country, therefore, a compliance report could not be furnished. However, he conveyed that the attorney general for Pakistan had instructed him to assure the court that its directions would be complied with in letter and spirit. The law officer sought time to submit a compliance report.

Meanwhile, the district police officer of Sargodha, a DSP Headquarters, a CTD regional officer and the SHO concerned tendered their unconditional apologies before the court.

Justice Shahid Karim adjourned the hearing until the second week of August and deferred a decision on the apologies by the police officials.

The judge had directed the prime minister to restrict all intelligence agencies – civil or military – from approaching any judge of the superior or subordinate judiciary.

“Instructions shall go out by the prime minister’s office to all civil or military agencies including the Intelligence Bureau and Inter-Services Intelligence regarding strict directions not to approach or contact any judge, whether of the superior judiciary or subordinate judiciary, or any member of their staff in the future,” reads a previous order by Justice Karim.

The judge had also directed the Punjab inspector general of police to instruct all police officials in the province not to directly contact any judge regarding the merits of any pending judicial proceedings before these courts.

Published in Dawn, July 9th, 2024