PHC CJ alarmed by security lapses

Seeks replies from Centre, K-P within three days

PESHAWAR:

Peshawar High Court Chief Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim has expressed grave concern over the increasing incidents of firing in courts and the extrajudicial killings of accused individuals.

He stated that it is essential to assess the type of security being provided to judges and judicial complexes. "We are doing everything we can within our capacity, and even the statements of accused persons in some cases are being recorded through video link," he added.

He added a questionnaire will be prepared for the relevant authorities, who will submit their comments in court.

The honourable chief justice issued these remarks during a hearing on a writ petition filed by the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Bar Council on the law-and-order situation in the province. The two-member bench, comprising Chief Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim and Justice Waqar Ahmed, heard the case.

On this occasion, K-P Bar Council Vice Chairman Sadiq Ali Mehmood, Advocate General Shah Faisal Utmankhail, and Deputy Attorney General Ubaidullah Anwar appeared in court.

At the start of the hearing, the petitioner informed the court that the security situation, especially in the southern districts of the province, is precarious, and judges have also been attacked. "No one is safe" he said. "Even the courts of Tank and Waziristan have been moved to DI Khan. Similarly, issues have arisen due to unrest in the Kurram district, but the provincial government has not taken adequate security measures,"

The lawyer added that the purpose of the writ petition is to improve the security of all institutions, including judges, lawyers, and others, and to take practical steps in this regard. "Recently, several people were killed in a shooting incident at the Charsadda Judicial Complex," he pointed out. The chief justice responded by saying that the court is also examining how extrajudicial killings are occurring due to security lapses. "The security of courts and judicial complexes must be evaluated."

The bar council vice chairman informed the court that if the provincial government does not take concrete steps, other options are available to them. Chief Justice Ibrahim acknowledged the concerns, stating that both the provincial and federal governments must play their roles in this matter.

The advocate General told the court that the provincial government is aware of the security concerns raised by the lawyers and is closely monitoring the situation. "Thousands of police personnel are being recruited and will be deployed in sensitive areas. Security at judicial complexes and other locations is also being improved, and a detailed response will be submitted."

Addressing the deputy attorney general Ubaidullah Anwar, the CJ urged the federal government to contribute and submit a report within three days. He further stated that several questions would be raised in the court's order, and the responses must be submitted in the form of comments, as the lawyers' concerns are valid.

"We do not want any unpleasant incidents to occur," he added. The hearing was subsequently adjourned until October 23, and the provincial and federal governments were ordered to submit their reports within three days.