Court security: LBA sends recommendations to CM, chief justice

LAHORE:

Lahore Bar Association (LBA) on Wednesday sent its recommendations to Lahore High Court Chief Justice Ijazul Ahsan and Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif for security measures at district courts.

Talking to The Express Tribune, Lahore Bar Association secretary Shahid Nawab Cheema said bar representatives had met the chief justice and the chief minister to voice their concerns over security arrangements at district courts. He said the chief justice and the chief minister had told them to submit their recommendations in writing.

“We are not satisfied with the security arrangements. We believe steps can be taken to improve those,” he said.

He said the five-page document had demanded better security at the sessions court complex, Aiwan-i-Adl, Model Town courts, district courts and Cantt courts.

The LBA has demanded snipers, raising of boundary wall to eight feet, deployment of a trained force, CCTV cameras, walk-through gates and other measures to improve security at district courts.

The LBA demanded that two snipers be placed on either side of the gate at district and sessions courts. He said a sniper each should man all floors of the building.

“Two snipers, one for monitoring adjacent streets and one for the judges’ parking should, be present at all times,” he said.

In addition, two constables should be deployed for patrolling, the LBA recommended.

“There should be separate entrances and exits for visitors. Boundary walls should be at least eight-feet-high,” Cheema said. The LBA has also demanded walkie-talkie devices for security personnel.

“Boundary walls of the sessions court should be raised and search lights installed to reduce the security risk at night,” he said.

He said separate parking should be allocated for court officials and walk-through gates should be installed at all entrances.

Three constables should be deployed for checking visitors. Two women constables should be deployed to search women. A search light and CCTV camera should also be fixed at the main gate, the LBA recommended.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 5^th, 2016.