Lawyer seeking removal of security for ex-CJ fined

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ISLAMABAD: Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui of Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday imposed Rs100,000 fine on a lawyer for filing a frivolous petition for withdrawal of security from former Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry.

Justice Siddiqui also dismissed the petition filed by advocate Riaz Hanif Rahi observing that the petitioner was not an aggrieved person.

Advocate Rahi has been in habit of filing petitions for the last couple of months which the courts did not entertain and dismissed after initial hearings.

In these petitions advocate Rahi used to challenge the trial of former president General (retired) Pervez Musharraf.

He even challenged posting of Capital Development Authority (CDA) official Mustafain Kazmi.

In the latest petition, advocate Rahi requested the court to withdraw security provided to the former CJP on the plea that it would set a precedent for other former CJPs which would put an extra burden on the national exchequer.

The same court also took up another petition filed by senior advocate Ahsanuddin Sheikh for providing bullet proof vehicle and adequate security to the former CJP.

Advocate Sheikh told the court that after the retirement the government provided a bullet proof vehicle to the former CJP which was not working, and also deputed only four police officials for his security.

He claimed that Justice Chaudhry was facing threats from land grabbers and other mafia who were not happy with his landmark judgments and waiting for his retirement to settle the score.

Justice Siddiqui inquired from inspector general of Islamabad police Sikandar Hayat why had proper security not been provided to former CJP whereas he deputed about 1,000 personnel for the protection of an accused facing treason charges.

The IG assured the court that they would detail more police officials on his security.

A joint secretary of the cabinet division also assured the court for providing bullet proof vehicle but sought some time from the court as at present there was no spare vehicle with them for the time being.

He also informed the court that for issuance of bullet proof vehicle, the cabinet division requires written approval of the prime minister.

The judge expressed annoyance and asked: “Are you people taking revenge from him (Justice Chaudhry) as he used to summon you in the courtroom in the matters of public importance?”He directed secretaries cabinet and interior for arranging a bullet proof vehicle for Justice Chaudhry by January 9 and warned that otherwise he would pass an order for withdrawal of bullet proof vehicles being used by the federal ministers and other VIPs.

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