Security alert: LHC chief justice orders foolproof security

LAHORE: Lahore High Court (LHC) Chief Justice-Designate Syed Mansoor Ali Shah on Wednesday directed the home secretary and Punjab police inspector general to ensure foolproof security for judges and their families. The CJ issued the directions on Tuesday while chairing a meeting on security in the wake of the kidnapping of Sindh High Court chief justice’s son.

The meeting was held in the chief justice’s chamber. Justice Muhammad Yawar Ali, LHC Registrar Tariq Iftikhar Ahmad, the home secretary the IGP and the Operations DIG were also present. The police officials briefed the chief justice about the security plan in place for judges and their families. Justice Shah issued directions for immediate steps to rectify the deficiencies in the judicial security system and ensure the safety of judges and their families as well as the rest of the judicial sector. Moreover, Justice Shah also directed the home secretary and IGP to get security clearance for the LHC officers and staff from the Special Branch and ensure the security of judicial complexes, judicial officers, lawyers as well as litigants. Justice Shah asked the authorities to formulate a new fool proof security plan in light of the new guidelines.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 23^rd, 2016.