Kutchery attack aftermath: IHC directs AG to submit report on court security

Petitioner claims only VIPs are protected, not litigants and lawyers

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court ordered the Advocate General (AG) of Islamabad on Monday to submit a detailed report regarding security arrangements undertaken at different courts in the capital within the next 10 days.

Justice Aamer Farooq directed AG Mian Abdul Rauf to submit the report after a petitioner sought the court’s intervention in the matter while referring to a terrorist attack on the district courts two years ago.

In March 2014, armed men had struck the court compound in Islamabad’s Sector F-8 in a gun-and-bomb attack killing at least 11 people, including an additional sessions judge, and leaving over two dozen others injured.

The petitioner has requested the court to direct the authorities to arrange stringent security for litigants and lawyers attending courts in the capital, arguing that authorities currently only focus on security of the VIPs rather than protecting  ordinary citizens.

While terming the security situation  as “vulnerable and pathetic” at the district courts and the IHC, the petitioner said that the only thing which was being done in the name of security was that departments are exchanging documents with one another just to satisfy the court   when and if f called upon. He claimed that “ no effective practical steps have so far been taken by the respondents.”

Secretary Ministry of Interior, Chief Commissioner, Islamabad, Deputy Commissioner, Inspector General of Police, SSP and SHO Margalla police station have been listed as respondents in the petition.

The counsel for the petitioner said that his client frequently attends proceedings of his cases but due to “vulnerable and poor security arrangements” at IHC and the district courts located in F-8 Markaz, he lives in a constant state of fear.

Linking security at courts in the capital with those at others, across the country where attacks have taken place in recent years, the petitioner stated that hundreds of litigants visit the courts daily while thousands of lawyers are practicing before dozens of courts but “they have no protection.” Although the petitioner conceded that walkthrough gates have been set up and CCTV cameras have been installed at various locations in the courts “but they are not functional and out of order.”

He said that applications were sent to respondents in September but to no avail, adding that they were under legal obligation to act in accordance with the law.

He has prayed the court to direct the respondents to treat courts in Islamabad as highly sensitive areas, prepare security plans  accordingly  and arrange security at courts for litigants and lawyers. He has also requested to depute Elite force personnel at the entry gates and in court premises.

The IHC judge directed the AG to file his report by October 20.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 11^th, 2016.