'There are threats to life of LHC Chief Justice'

The top security officials on Saturday informed the meeting of Chief Justices of superior courts that 'there are threats' to the life of Justice Khawaja Muhammad Sharif, Chief Justice Lahore High Court. On September 16, Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry had convened the meeting following a Punjab Special Branch report about the alleged plot to assassinate LHC CJ.
A statement issued by the Supreme Court said, "The presentations given by the Secretary, Interior, Director FIA, Chief Secretary, Home Secretary and PPO, Punjab prima-facie also suggest threats to the life of Mr Justice Khawaja Muhammad Sharif, Chief Justice Lahore High Court." Headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry the meeting resolved that all judges and their families must be provided adequate security and protection due to prevailing security concerns and the nature of functions the judges perform.
The superior as well as the district judiciary has to play an independent role for enforcement of the Constitution and rule of law, therefore, it has been decided that both the federal and provincial governments will ensure the security and safety of the judges of the superior courts without compromising their integrity, neutrality and independence whatsoever, said the statement.
The meeting expressed great concern about the security of the chief justices and judges of the superior courts, particularly, in the wake of threats being given to them as well as their families, emanating from administrative authorities, as per intelligence reports.
However, executive authorities are required to complete their investigations/deliberations independently and intimate the result to the Registrar, Supreme Court of Pakistan. It was further resolved that whatever the facts of the alleged plot are, it needs to be dealt with in accordance with law without giving any concession or making compromise and whosoever is found responsible, must be dealt with strictly in accordance with law.
The security of advocates in different parts of the country has also been found inadequate, particularly in respect of the cases of M Sardar Khan from KP, Raja Riaz & Sardar Zulfiqar from Karachi, Zaman Marri, Wilayat Hussain and Munir Ahmed Mirwani (reported missing and no recovery effected yet) from Balochistan. Similarly, the incident faced by the son-in-law of Mr Justice Asad Munir of Lahore High Court has not been dealt with properly.
The Secretary Interior has been directed to remain in touch with the concerned authorities and make all possible efforts for bringing the culprits to book. The meeting was attended by Chief Justices Khawaja Mohammad Sharif of Lahore High Court, Sarmad Jalal Osmany of Sindh High Court, Ejaz Afzal Khan of Peshawar High Court and Qazi Faez Issa of Balochistan High Court and the Chief Justice of Federal Shariat Court.