Judicial complex attack exposes security gaps

One killed, two injured in Shabqadar shooting

PESHAWAR:

Just a day after the Peshawar High Court called for an urgent meeting to discuss the security of the judiciary, a shooting at the Shabqadar Judicial Complex resulted in the death of one person and critical injuries to two others.

According to the local police, the incident occurred due to a longstanding enmity. The injured were immediately shifted to the THQ hospital for medical treatment, while the attackers managed to escape.

The firing incident in the parking area of the Shabqadar Judicial Complex left three people injured. They were rushed to the THQ hospital, where one of them, Arshad Ali, son of Darvesh, succumbed to his injuries.

The injured include Ziaul Islam, son of Zafar Gul, and Talawat Shah, son of Kifayat Shah.

The Shabqadar police have registered a report, stating that there has been a longstanding feud between the parties involved. Due to this animosity, the suspects, Haider Ali and Bahar Ali, opened fire in the parking area of the Judicial Complex, injuring three people on the spot.

Arshad Ali later died of his injuries. The suspects managed to flee the scene, and police have launched an operation to arrest them.

Just a day earlier, the Peshawar High Court directed its registrar to convene a meeting on the security of the judiciary, barrooms, and judicial officers in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa on a writ petition filed on the matter.

The meeting is to involve representatives from the K-P Home Department, bar council members, the attorney general, the advocate general, and the inspector general of police.

The case was heard by a two-member bench comprising Chief Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim and Justice Waqar Ahmed. The petitioner, Sadiq Ali Momand, along with representatives of the federal and provincial governments, appeared before the court.

The petitioner argued that the law-and-order situation in the province is deteriorating, forcing the courts and staff of two districts in the southern region to relocate to Dera Ismail Khan.

He emphasised that providing security to judicial officers, the judiciary, and barrooms is the government's responsibility.

An additional attorney general informed the court that a meeting had been held, during which it was proposed to adopt international standard measures and provide enhanced security to judges in high-risk areas.

The CJ stated that two district courts have been closed due to security concerns, and directed the registrar to ensure all stakeholders' participation in the upcoming meeting. The court ordered the formation of a committee to focus on judicial security and adjourned the hearing to November 26.

Last month, Peshawar High Court Chief Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim expressed grave concern over the increasing incidents of shooting 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 the hearing of the mentioned Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Bar Council writ petition. At the time, K-P Bar Council Vice Chairman Sadiq Ali Mehmood, Advocate General Shah Faisal Utmankhail, and Deputy Attorney General Ubaidullah Anwar appeared in court.