RAWALPINDI: Lahore High Court (LHC) Chief Justice Alia Neelam has ordered further tightening security arrangements in courts across the province.
Justice Neelam issued orders for immediate, comprehensive and foolproof security arrangements to ensure safety of the lives and properties of judges, court staff, lawyers and litigants in all courts across the province. She said that protecting the sanctity of the judicial system and the process of dispensation of justice from all kinds of fear, pressure and danger was the top priority of the judiciary.
Expressing deep sorrow over the unfortunate incident of terrorism outside the Islamabad Judicial Complex, the LHC chief justice said such incidents highlight the need to further strengthen the security of the judicial system. She directed the concerned police authorities to identify possible shortcomings in the security arrangements of the LHC and district courts and to utilise all available resources to remove them.
In order to implement the LHC chief justice’s instructions, modern walk-through gates have been installed at the entrance and exit points of all courts and judicial complexes in Punjab province, including the LHC.
Gates, metal detectors and full body search systems have been made more effective, while CCTV cameras inside and outside the court premises are being monitored 24 hours to enable timely detection and immediate action against any suspicious activity.
Furthermore, secret surveillance and security protocols have been tightened in parking areas for the convenience and protection of litigants and lawyers.
In view of the security situation after the cowardly act of terrorism in the Islamabad Judicial Complex, security has been put on high alert across the city, including the Rawalpindi Judicial Complex and the district courts.
According to security sources, instructions have been issued to the police and relevant agencies to make special security arrangements. Security arrangements and checking have been tightened around and outside the judicial complex and outside the district courts, while special attention is being paid to those coming and going with unrelated persons and goods.
