LAHORE: Security of Model Town inquiry tribunal head Justice Ali Baqar Najafi was enhanced on Saturday following a threatening letter received by the judge. Carrying no sender’s name, the letter addressed to Justice Najafi contained particulars of the honourable judge’s family, an official of the Lahore High Court said.

The letter also contained threats of dire consequences to the judge and his family, the official added.

He, however, refused to respond to a query that whether the letter contained any reference to the Model Town incident’s inquiry the judge was conducting. Another official maintained the threats were not hurled after the judge was assigned the probe.

He, however, avoided disclosing the reasons for the threat.

Justice Anwarul Haq, heading a division bench on July 10 had mentioned that police high-ups were aware of the life threats being hurled at some judges of high court. The bench was hearing a petition about security of court’s premises in the city.

Lahore High Court Bar Association President Shafqat Mahmood Chohan was also present in the court.

On Saturday, additional deployment of police personnel was witnessed in the high court, especially on entrance/exit points and outside the courtrooms. A squad of Elite Force was also assigned the security of Justice Najafi.

The bar expressed its serious concern over the threats to judges and demanded the Punjab government should ensure their protection.

The bar would not tolerate any negligence on the government’s part in this regard, Mr Chohan said in a statement.

Published in Dawn, July 13th, 2014