Mystery of poison letters deepens

RAWALPINDI/ISLAMABAD/LAHORE:

The specter of alarming "threatening letters" rattling the top judiciary refused to fade into the shadows as Lahore High Court's (LHC) Justice Ali Baqar Najafi found himself the recipient of a "suspicious" letter on Friday.

In a disturbing development, the content of these letters, it was disclosed, contained traces of arsenic, adding a toxic layer to an already murky situation as the spate of letters continues to rattle judges amid a heated political climate.

Similarly, the tally of Supreme Court justices grappling with ominous letters surged to 10, with five more judges finding themselves in the crosshairs. All the letters were dispatched on the same date. However, some judges discovered the letters belatedly.

Justices Ayesha Malik, Irfan Saadat Khan, Muhammad Ali Mazhar, Syed Hasan Azhar Rizvi, and Munib Akhtar were among those on the receiving end of unsettling letters on Friday, according to sources.

The sources said the chemicals in the letters sent to Islamabad High Court (IHC) judges contained arsenic, prompting authorities to task the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) of the federal police with probing the ‘mysterious letters’.

In the most recent series of such letters, Justice Najafi became the sixth judge from the LHC to be singled out by a "suspicious" letter.

Inspector Muhamad Anis from the Special Branch disclosed that the letter was delivered to Justice Najafi's secretary. Out of the five letters received by the secretary, one raised suspicion.

Anis further confirmed that the concerned letter was promptly handed over to the CTD. However, Anis refrained from providing details regarding the potential presence of toxic substances or threatening content within the letter.

The total number of LHC judges receiving the letter reached six. The letter received by Justice Najafi was said to have been handed over to the CTD.

Two days ago, eight judges, including Chief Justice Aamer Farooq of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) received letters containing an unknown powder, suspected to be laced with anthrax.

A day later, the letters containing the suspicious powdery toxic substance were sent to the Supreme Court jurists, including Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa, as well as other judges of the LHC.
CTD teams formed

As part of the ongoing efforts to address recent threats targeting esteemed justices, three teams from the CTD have been deployed across key locations in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and Lahore.

Comprising two teams in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, with an additional team stationed in Lahore, these investigative units have been tasked with probing the alarming influx of threatening letters directed at honourable justices.

The Lahore team boasts a force of 11 members, underscoring the gravity of the situation.

The focal point of the investigation revolves around scrutinizing the vicinities surrounding the post offices from which these ominous letters were dispatched. Investigators aim to sift through CCTV footage, although challenges persist due to the scarcity of available recordings.

Moreover, the teams are compiling data on individuals who frequented or availed themselves of postal services during pertinent time frames. The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) is extending support to facilitate profiling efforts and identify the accused.

In a parallel development, following yet another menacing letter addressed to a judge in Lahore, a multi-agency response was promptly initiated. The Punjab Forensic Science Agency (PFSA), in tandem with the CTD and local law enforcement, swiftly visited the scene to gather vital evidence.

‘Traces of arsenic found’

According to sources within the CTD, the forensic analysis of the substance found in the suspicious letters sent to IHC judges has uncovered the presence of arsenic.

The disturbing revelation has prompted heightened concerns.

The forensic examination indicated a significant concentration of arsenic, amounting to 15% in the substance. Arsenic, notorious for its toxicity and deadly effects, poses a grave risk to human health, particularly impacting the nervous system.

The CTD intends to present this crucial forensic report to the Supreme Court within the coming three to four days.

The office of the director general (DG) of the Pakistan Post issued a notification on Friday conveying specific instructions regarding mail addressed to judges, diplomats, and other high-profile individuals.
Urging immediate action, the DG asked for the mail to be carefully examined and delivered to the R&I section of the relevant office. Furthermore, the director general also emphasized the safety of the postal staff handling the mail.

Read PTI wants a full-court on letter controversy

"Ensuring the safety and security of the postal operational staff is our prime responsibility and priority," stated the DG in his letter. Postmaster generals were directed to provide masks and gloves to staff members to mitigate potential risks associated with handling hazardous materials.

The notice explicitly instructed all postal staff to exercise extreme caution when handling letters and packages brought into the post office.

"Any unattended and suspected material should be immediately reported to the supervisor on duty, local administration, and the head of the unit and circle concerned," the notification stated.

"Postal staff posted at counters, DMOs, and Delivery Post Offices should also be directed to remain vigilant while booking, sorting, transmitting, and delivering mail," the notice added.

Staff members were asked to comply with Rule-171 of the PO Manual Volume VI, which outlines the proper treatment of articles presented for registration, as well as Rule-122 of Volume-V, which prohibits certain articles from being transmitted by inland post.

Additionally, the notification emphasized adherence to Section 23 of the Post Office Act, 1898, which delineates the authority to address postal articles posted in contravention of the act. The SOPs were issued by DG Pakistan Post.

New SOPs for parcel booking

On the other hand, the authorities tightened the rules for booking parcels across the country, as the investigation into the threatening letters sent to the judges continues.

According to sources, the CTD of the federal police and other law-enforcement agencies is investigating the powder-laced letters that were sent to the judges. They added that the letters carried the stamp of the sub-divisional post office in the Satellite Town of Rawalpindi.

The chemical in the letters has been sent for forensics, and the staff at the Satellite Town sub-divisional post office are being questioned. The police are also gathering the CCTV footage of the postboxes of the post office and the fingerprints on the letters.

In the wake of the incident, the authorities have issued new standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the booking of parcels. The new SOPs, which will be implemented immediately, make it mandatory that the sender’s complete address, telephone number, and identity card number are written on the parcel.
Under the new SOPs, booking clerks will be held responsible in case of booking of all types of prohibited articles, and items. “It will be necessary to write the full name, complete address, telephone number, and identity card number of the person booking the parcel,” the SOPs said.

At the time of booking, according to the SOPs, checking of all the items in the parcel has been made mandatory and if any prohibited item is found in the parcel sent at any point, the responsible booking clerk, or gate officer will be directly responsible.

The SOPs say that if any prohibited items are found during the checking of the parcel, it will be necessary to call the police immediately for the arrest of the person making the booking. The new SOPs have been sent to all post offices and national and international mail offices across the country.