Top judge scraps 'heightened protocol' for Multan visit amid social media backlash
Chief Justice of Pakistan Gulzar Ahmed takes back order for district police officers escort to Multan
Chief Justice of Pakistan Gulzar Ahmed. PHOTO: FILE
ISLAMABAD:
Chief Justice of Pakistan Gulzar Ahmed on Thursday ordered authorities to withdraw the protocol given to him for today's visit to Multan in the wake of an outcry on social media.
The Supreme Court had ‘penned’ a letter to the Punjab Police wherein all district police officers concerned were directed to escort him on his way to the Punjab city.
Justice Gulzar is set to attend a seminar on the civic rights and duties of the state organised by the Multan High Court Bar Association.
A letter has been doing the rounds on social media in which the Punjab police district officers is directed to personally escort the CJP in their respective territories.
The letter goes on to state that the orders are being given by the top judge.
Sources, however, told The Express Tribune that the letter was written by the Supreme Court registrar office with CJP Gulzar unaware of its contents.
Upon learning of the details of the letter he promptly ordered its withdrawal.
A fresh letter has now been written by the Punjab police regarding the cancellation of its January 28 letter.
“However foolproof security may be provided to the top judge as per SOP to avert any untoward incident under intimation of this office," the letter written by DIG Operations Punjab Police reads.
It is believed that the incumbent CJP is already facing immense security threats especially after his orders against builder mafias to remove encroachments in Karachi.
According to senior lawyers, the letter was deliberately leaked on social media to defame the CJP for who is giving a tough time to the executive on maladministration.
They also criticised the SC registrar for not being more careful with the language used in the letter.
Interestingly, a similar letter on ensuring security was written to police during the travel of previous chief justices.
The insiders also said that the earlier letter was issued by the additional registrar without bringing it to the knowledge of the chief justice. As soon as CJP Gulzar came to know about it, he asked the registrar to withdraw it.
However, such letters are not novel they are being issued by the registrar of the apex court as routine matter whenever a CJP visits any district. This has been in practice for the last 10 years.
The letter was leaked by the Punjab government purposefully to defame the chief justice, they added.
Chief Justice of Pakistan Gulzar Ahmed on Thursday ordered authorities to withdraw the protocol given to him for today's visit to Multan in the wake of an outcry on social media.
The Supreme Court had ‘penned’ a letter to the Punjab Police wherein all district police officers concerned were directed to escort him on his way to the Punjab city.
Justice Gulzar is set to attend a seminar on the civic rights and duties of the state organised by the Multan High Court Bar Association.
A letter has been doing the rounds on social media in which the Punjab police district officers is directed to personally escort the CJP in their respective territories.
The letter goes on to state that the orders are being given by the top judge.
Sources, however, told The Express Tribune that the letter was written by the Supreme Court registrar office with CJP Gulzar unaware of its contents.
Upon learning of the details of the letter he promptly ordered its withdrawal.
A fresh letter has now been written by the Punjab police regarding the cancellation of its January 28 letter.
“However foolproof security may be provided to the top judge as per SOP to avert any untoward incident under intimation of this office," the letter written by DIG Operations Punjab Police reads.
It is believed that the incumbent CJP is already facing immense security threats especially after his orders against builder mafias to remove encroachments in Karachi.
According to senior lawyers, the letter was deliberately leaked on social media to defame the CJP for who is giving a tough time to the executive on maladministration.
They also criticised the SC registrar for not being more careful with the language used in the letter.
Interestingly, a similar letter on ensuring security was written to police during the travel of previous chief justices.
The insiders also said that the earlier letter was issued by the additional registrar without bringing it to the knowledge of the chief justice. As soon as CJP Gulzar came to know about it, he asked the registrar to withdraw it.
However, such letters are not novel they are being issued by the registrar of the apex court as routine matter whenever a CJP visits any district. This has been in practice for the last 10 years.
The letter was leaked by the Punjab government purposefully to defame the chief justice, they added.