Security at district courts collapses

CCTV cameras, walk-through gates removed

RAWALPINDI:

Despite persistent security threats, the 77 CCTV cameras installed for monitoring the district courts, seven police security posts on the rooftops of court buildings, five walk-through gates and seven metal detectors, all of which had become faulty, have now been completely removed.

The CCTV security control room has also been shut down, sparking strong protests from the district bar.

According to the police control room in-charge, all CCTV cameras and walk-through gates were completely non-functional and were removed because they had stopped recording footage.

1He added that authorities had repeatedly been informed of the faults but no action was taken. The walk-through gates installed at the main entry points had become "toys" and were shifted to scrap stores after being dismantled. Faulty metal detectors were also returned.

As a result, manual body searches—an old checking method—have been reintroduced for all visitors entering the district courts.

District Bar President Sardar Manzar Bashir said they would hold special discussions this week with the commissioner, deputy commissioner and city police officer over the removal of CCTV cameras and the "poor security". He said the bar will adopt a strict stance and will not tolerate any compromise on court security.