Greater divides: IGP orders installation of biometric system in courts

Only those whose biometrics can be verified will be allowed to enter premises

PESHAWAR: IGP Nasir Khan Durrani has directed regional police officers to install a biometric system in courts as part of security measures.

As part of the process, fingerprints of all employees, bar association members, lawyers and visitors will be recorded.  Only those whose biometrics can be verified will be allowed to enter court premises.

The rest will need to produce summons issued by the court for their hearing.

The IGP issued these instructions at the RPOs conference at the Central Police Office on Friday, stated a handout. The CCPO and other officials were present at the meeting which was convened in the wake of the militant attack on Shabqadar courts.

According to the handout, RPOs will work to persuade the district and session judges to convene a meeting of bar associations and police to review court safety. Participants at the meeting appreciated the role played by the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa police in the war against terrorism. Sacrifices rendered by the police in terrorism incidents were lauded.

Durrani said, “The biometric system will be installed in courts in Shabqadar to thwart terrorism.”

Law and order

The prevalent security situation in the province was discussed at the meeting.

An offensive strategy was devised to counter emerging tactics adopted by the militants to attack soft targets. Security of all sensitive installations, including educational and government institutions, foreign projects and minority worship places will be heightened.

The IGP stressed on search and strike operations to purge the settled areas of any sleeper cells and to crackdown against those who facilitate militants.

It was highlighted snap-checks along arteries connecting Federally Administered Tribal Areas and the settled areas would be enhanced.

Durrani directed RPOs to utilise public liaison councils which were established in villages and neighbourhood.

He reiterated, “As commanders, it is our duty to protect and maintain the honour and dignity of the force.”

Published in The Express Tribune, March 12^th, 2016.