Report lays bare poor security at Islamabad’s district courts

Sessions judge says ICT admin reluctant to provide security at F-8 Katchehry

ISLAMABAD:

A sessions judge of Islamabad has raised serious questions about poor security arrangements at the federal capital’s F-8 Katchehry, where district courts exist.

According to a report, walk-through gates, CCTV cameras, and courtroom LEDs were all reportedly damaged. It said that no one including the deputy commissioner’s office was cooperating or willing to listen when it comes to appointing Special Branch officials at the district courts, which compromises the security of the courts.

In the report, sent to the registrar of the Islamabad High Court, it was disclosed that the Islamabad district administration and the Chief Commissioner's Office should have put in place elaborate security for the courts, complainants and attorneys but they did not.

“The security situation on the grounds is exceedingly risky since the Islamabad administration has not taken any security arrangements. Therefore, it should be ordered to the chief commissioner, the deputy commissioner and the Islamabad inspector-general to make foolproof security for the district courts,” it said.

The report said that district courts' security condition necessitates the implementation of foolproof measures. The report said that following the terrorist incident in 2014, Rangers stationed at the district court were removed without notifying sessions judges. Additionally, it said that the walk-through gates at the districts courts entrances are not functioning properly and nearly all CCTV cameras on the court premises are malfunctioning.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, February 1^st, 2023.