ISLAMABAD: Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday summoned the inspector general of the capital police on a petition seeking deployment of heavy security for former Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry.

The court issued notices to the ministry of interior and the secretary cabinet division directing them to inform the court about the steps taken for the security of the former CJP.

An additional secretary ministry of interior appeared before the court and stated that the ministry had provided a bulletproof car and 16 persons for the security of the retired chief justice.

Meanwhile, Riaz Hanif Rahi Advocate filed another application praying the court not to order additional security for the former chief justice. If it is provided, all former chief justices of Pakistan would also demand the facility in the same manner putting an extra burden on the national exchequer.

For the provision of foolproof security to Iftikhar Chaudhry, former president Lahore High Court Bar Association’s Rawalpindi division, Sheikh Ahsanuddin argued before the court that the government was providing security to a person who was facing the charges of abrogating the constitution. As many as 1,100 security personals have been deployed for his security. On the other hand, the former chief justice, who upheld the constitution and served the country, has been provided with an inadequate security, he added.

He argued that former President Asif Ali Zardari, his sister Faryal Talpur and former army chief were enjoying foolproof security.

He said the former CJP had decided many cases against the power-wielding forces of the country and for that reason he needed security. The court adjourned further hearing of the matter till Friday.