PM will have to take responsibility as ISI, IB report to him: LHC

LAHORE: Justice Shahid Karim of Lahore High Court (LHC) Thursday converted the suo motu notice against the alleged harassment of the ATC Sargodha judge into a writ petition.

The court issued instructions to the prime minister through the Principal Secretary to lay down guidelines for the security agencies. The judge said the court would issue a directive to the prime minister to take responsibility regarding ISI and IB. “If anything happens even after that, we will directly ask the prime minister. The prime minister has to take responsibility as IB and ISI are under him,” the judge remarked.

The court noted it was the responsibility of higher authorities to ensure prevention of such incidents. The responsible senior police officer may contact the ATC judge, Sargodha. The court-bound the IG Punjab police and said he would be responsible if such an incident happens in courts. The court granted time to police officers to file their responses to the court’s show-cause notice.

The counsel for the federal government said the government was ready to cooperate with the police and other institutions. The court said all judges of ATC courts should have call recording apps on their mobile phones. “If any such phone call is received, it should be recorded”, the court said. The lawyer of the federal government said, “If we find out that someone has tried to meet the judge, then we are ready to investigate”. The court appointed the prosecutor as judicial assistant. Further hearing will be held on July 11.