Security woes plague courts

Despite persistent threats, authorities fail to rectify flaws in security apparatus

RAWALPINDI:

The Rawalpindi district courts have endured a protracted battle against security vulnerabilities throughout 2023, revealing the inadequacies of the existing security system.

Despite grappling with numerous security threats, the relevant authorities and the police found themselves unable to address the persistent flaws in the security apparatus over the course of the year.

A significant cause for concern was the prevalence of faulty equipment, exemplified by the complete non-functionality of all four walk-through gates within the district courts for the entirety of the year. Additionally, five body-searching metal detectors experienced malfunctions, further compromising the court’s ability to ensure a secure environment.

The shortcomings extended to the surveillance infrastructure, with 45 to 58 out of 62 closed-circuit cameras installed across the courts remaining impaired due to inoperative batteries, despite continuous complaints. Within the judicial complex, housing a total of 146 cameras, 10 to 15 were found to be faulty or produced inaccurate footage. The Special Anti-Terrorism Court fared no better, as only one or two out of the 16 closed-circuit cameras were functional.

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Operational cameras faced their own set of challenges, capturing blurry footage that hindered the identification of individuals, while the contact tracing system for monitoring citizens entering the district courts was deemed inadequate.

Compounding the security lapses was the revelation that the existing systems were far from foolproof.

The absence of rigorous checks allowed individuals, potentially posing security threats, to enter the court premises without scrutiny, especially if dressed in a lawyer’s uniform. The removal of the walk-through system for lawyers further exacerbated vulnerabilities, enabling unrestricted access through any gate, including the main entrance.

The daily influx of 0.1 to 0.2 million people into the district courts heightened security risks in the bustling environment. Lawyers, engaged in documentation and client meetings from 10 pm to 11 pm, added to the complexity of the situation. Furthermore, incidents of bike theft within the court premises underscored the tangible consequences of compromised security systems.

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Faisal Khan Niazi, President of the District Bar Association, disclosed that numerous complaints had been lodged with the deputy commissioner, but the consistent response cited a lack of funds as the reason for unresolved issues.

In response to the persistent challenges, plans are now underway to submit a formal request to Rawalpindi Commissioner Liaquat Ali Chattha, seeking intervention and resolution for the faulty security system. Sources from the commissioner’s office expressed optimism about a positive response following the district bar’s application.

Providing insight into the security measures, a senior police officer overseeing the district courts’ security emphasized continuous monitoring, with three security shifts operating around the clock from 8am to 4am, 8am to 12pm, and 12pm to 8am.

The presence of a police station within the court premises attested to the commitment to maintaining security, despite the persistent challenges faced by the district courts.

 

 

Published in The Express Tribune, December 31^st, 2023