K-P govt gets 24 hrs to answer security concerns

PHC asks what SOPs are in place for judicial complexes

PESHAWAR:

The Peshawar High Court has issued a written order on a petition filed by the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Bar Council on the deteriorating security situation in the province, and sought answers to six key questions from relevant authorities by Tuesday (today).

The case was heard by Peshawar High Court Chief Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim and Justice Waqar Ahmed. The court has asked the government to answer what the procedure is for providing security to the judicial complex, courts, and bar rooms. "If there are SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) in place, are they being followed? If not, how many police officers are assigned to the security of the judicial complex and bar rooms? What security equipment, fencing, vehicles, metal detectors, and bag scanners are available?"

The court also sought information on security provided to judges' residences, asking under which SOPs authorities were operating. "If SOPs exist, what is their procedure? If not, how is security being managed? Do the police have modern security equipment?"

In the third question, the court asked the government whether there are SOPs in place for the movement of judges. "If yes, are they being implemented? How many police officers are assigned during the movement of judges? Are government residences being allocated to judges on a priority basis? If a judge does not have a government residence, what measures are being taken for their security?"

Similarly, the court has ordered information on additional security measures for judges, court complexes, and judges' residences in sensitive areas.

The fifth question asked whether there is a separate security unit for courts, according to international standards. "If not, what is the justification for this?" the PHC asked.

Finally, the court raised the question of whether there is an accountability mechanism in place in case of a security lapse. "If such a mechanism exists, has it been implemented so far?" asked the superior court's concluding question.

The court asked for answers to these questions by tomorrow when the hearing continues.

Bails

The Peshawar High Court has granted the transit bail request of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader and former MNA Colonel (R) Ajmal Sabir Raja, directing him to appear before the relevant courts by November 7.

The case was heard by a single-member bench, presided over by Justice Sahibzada Asadullah of the Peshawar High Court.

Advocate Alam Khan Adenzai represented Colonel (R) Ajmal Sabir Raja. He informed the court that his client belongs to an opposition party and is a former member of the Punjab Assembly. "He is facing eight cases in Rawalpindi and Attock. The petitioner wishes to appear before the relevant courts, but fears that he may be arrested before doing so. Therefore, he requested transit bail."

The bench accepted the transit bail request and instructed the petitioner to appear before the relevant courts by November 7. Meanwhile, an additional district and sessions judge has granted bail to an accused in a murder case involving the killing of a man in Hayatabad. The case was heard by District and Sessions Judge Mirza Kashif.

The accused, Syed Noor, was represented by Advocate Danial Asad Chamkani.

According to the prosecution, the body of Saadatullah was found in the house of a woman, Ms A, in Phase 6 of Hayatabad. The deceased's son, Nisar, filed a case at Tatara Police Station against Jawad, Syed Noor, and Ms A, accusing them of murder. Police reported that the deceased had been living with the woman for the past ten years in Hayatabad, and she was considered his adopted daughter. He was a resident of Nowshera. After registering the FIR, the police arrested the suspects.