Pakistan`s ex-CJ seeks foolproof security

Islamabad: Former Pakistan Supreme Court Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry has sought foolproof security and a bulletproof vehicle, saying he is facing threats to his life.

The Interior Ministry directed the Islamabad Police chief to provide security to Chaudhry, who retired on Wednesday after serving at the helm of the apex court for the longest tenure in the country`s history. The ministry has also written to the Cabinet Division to provide him a bulletproof vehicle, Geo News channel reported. While he was in office, Chaudhry had tight security and drove around in an imported bulletproof BMW 7 series sedan. His retirement ended an era marked by aggressive judicial activism that even forced the resignation of former premier Yousuf Raza Gilani. Chaudhry, credited with making the judiciary a strong pillar, was feared by politicians and bureaucrats. He built a reputation for himself through direct confrontation with the civilian government and the powerful military to an extent. He became a symbol of lawyers` protests against former military ruler Gen Pervez Musharraf that eventually played a crucial role in the fall of the dictatorial regime. However, critics accuse him of overstepping the boundary of the judiciary. Many detractors thought his actions that forced former premier Gilani to step down amounted to a "judicial coup".