PM Shehbaz reassures probe over threat letters to judges, rules out 'politics'

• PM reassures govt probe over threatening letters to judges.
• Remarks come after SC, IHC, LHC judges receive threat letters.
• Recipients include CJP Qazi Faez Isa, IHC CJ Aamer Farooq.
  

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Thursday reassured the government's resolve to probe the issue of threat letters received by multiple judges, including Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa, stressing that the issue must not be marred by politics.

"The government of Pakistan will investigate the threatening letters [sent to the judges]," PM Shehbaz said while chairing a meeting of the federal cabinet in Islamabad today.

The premier's remarks came after several judges, including those belonging to the Supreme Court (SC), the Islamabad High Court (IHC) and the Lahore High Court (LHC) received threatening letters.

Among those who received such letters at SC on Wednesday include CJP Isa, Justice Athar Minallah, Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail and Justice Aminuddin Khan, Geo News reported citing sources.

Before that, eight judges of the IHC including its Chief Justice Aamer Farooq had received "suspected anthrax-laced letters" on Monday, while four LHC judges including Justice Shujaat Ali Khan, Justice Shahid Bilal Hasan, Justice Alia Neelum and Justice Abid Aziz Sheikh were sent the letters on Wednesday.

The issue of threat letters arose a day after the SC took suo motu notice over allegations of the IHC’s chief justice and other judges against spy agencies.

Commenting on the government's bid to tackle economic challenges faced by the country, the prime minister said that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) would disburse the remaining last tranche, amounting to $1.1 billion, of its $3 billion Stand-By Arrangement with Islamabad this month.

However, PM Shehbaz added, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb would engage with the Washington-based lender for another loan.

"The conditions for the IMF program will not be easy," he noted.

Addressing the issue of privatisation, the PM reassured full implementation of the privatisation schedule of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA).

Meanwhile, a Turkish company's delegation would also visit Pakistan over the issue of outsourcing of country's airports, he added.

Furthermore, the premier said that the Centre would coordinate with the provincial governments to ensure fool-proof security of Chinese nationals in the country.

"Our focus is on ensuring infallible security for the Chinese," Shehbaz said while referring to the deadly suicide attack in Shangla's Besham city which resulted in the death of six people including five Chinese engineers.