Lahore High Court Plans New SOPs After ‘Toxic Powder’ Letters

Following the receipt of letters containing ‘toxic powder’ by senior judges, the Lahore High Court (LHC) is set to implement new Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for handling posts and mails to guarantee the safety and security of judges.

“New SOPs have been adopted for managing letters addressed to the jurists,” stated the LHC’s administration.

Courier companies and postmen are instructed to clear all types of letters and posts from the security room. Letters will undergo security checks by Deputy Superintendent Police (DSP) ranked officers before being handed over to the relevant judges’ staff officers.

Atif, a postman responsible for delivering the letters containing suspicious powdery substance to the judges’ offices, mentioned that it was his routine duty to deliver letters and he was unaware of the contents of the envelopes.

In response to the suspected powder-laced letters, Pakistan Post has taken special security measures for its staff and intensified inspection of postal letters and other mails. Staffers are provided with masks and gloves for their safety and security. They are directed to carefully examine letters and other mails, especially those addressed to judges, diplomats, and other high-profile individuals.

The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) has received the forensic report of the powder found in the mysterious letters sent to judges of high courts and the Supreme Court. Several judges received threatening letters containing white powder, believed to be anthrax, causing fear within the judiciary.

The CTD has filed two FIRs against unknown individuals and initiated an inquiry into the matter. Videos from CCTV cameras near the letterboxes in the Satellite Town sub-divisional post office in Rawalpindi are being used to identify suspects with the assistance of Nadra.

As calls for an investigation into the matter grow, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has assured that the government will investigate the threat letters received by judges with suspicious powder responsibly to uncover the truth. He emphasized during the federal cabinet meeting that the sensitive matter should not be politicized.