LAHORE: Unknown assailants opened fire at the residence of Justice Ijazul Ahsan in Lahore’s Model Town in two separate incidents only hours apart on Sunday. No casualties were reported in the attacks, one of which took place around 10:45pm on Saturday and the other at 9:10am on Sunday.
Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar visited the residence of Justice Ahsan and summoned Inspector General of Punjab. The chief justice is said to be overseeing the situation himself.
Forensic teams visited the house of the top judge and collected evidence from the crime scene. Initial investigation says one bullet hit the main gate of the house while another bullet spot has been found on kitchen’s wall.
According to a report by a private television channel, a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) has been formed to probe the incident.
Justice Ijazul Ahsan was a member of the bench who had heard high profile Panamagate case against former prime minister Nawaz Sharif.
The judge was also among the judges who announced the verdict in disqualification period case this week. The court had unanimously announced that the disqualification under Article 62 (1)(f) of the Constitution was for a lifetime, sealing the political career of former Premier Nawaz Sharif and PTI’s former Secretary General Jahangir Tareen for life.
Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif has condemned firing incident at the residence of Justice Ijazul Ahsan. He took notice of the incident and sought report from the IGP Punjab. He said the firing incident should be investigated and a report should be presented to him at the earliest. The chief minister said those who are involved in the firing incident cannot escape punishment.
Justice Ahsan and the Chief Justice of Pakistan often spend the weekend in Lahore where they take up several cases related to public interest and other matters at the apex court’s Lahore registry.
After completing his LLB from Punjab University Law College, Justice Ahsan completed his postgraduate studies from Cornell University, New York. He was elevated to the bench in 2009 and was confirmed as a judge of the Lahore High Court in 2011.
Justice Ahsan has served as inspection judge for Kasur, Gujranwala and Lahore Districts. In 2015, he was appointed as the chief justice of Lahore High Court and elevated to the SC in June 2016. INP/Agencies
