Security threat: Lawyers reject proposals to shift courts

Launch protest to press demand to move to custom-built complex.

ISLAMABAD:

The legal fraternity on Monday rejected a set of proposals presented by the Islamabad administration to temporarily move the City District Courts out of the congested F-8 Markaz, in view of security threats.

In the wake of a gun-and-bomb attack on the district courts on March 3, Islamabad Capital Territory administration had offered lawyers several alternatives in a meeting last Friday. But even the most viable proposal, shifting the courts to a building, where Capital Administration and Development Division’s (CADD) curriculum wing was set up, has been turned down by lawyers. The building is located in Sector H-8.

Other proposals included shifting the courts to two government primary schools in F-8/2, and F-8/4, or to a building of the Immigration and Passports office located in Sector G-8. Lawyers have rejected all the proposals and asked the administration to shift the courts to the custom-built complex in Sector G-10. The building is currently occupied by the Islamabad High Court (IHC).



Islamabad District Bar Association President Naseer Ahmed Kayani said lawyers had rejected all the proposals in a general body meeting and decided to start a protest from Tuesday (today). “We will protest in front of Parliament House for our main demand---shift the courts to the custom-built building.’’

Since two suicide bombers blew themselves up in the katcheri and killed 12 people including Judge Malik Rafaqat Awan, lawyers have been pressurising the administration to shift the courts to the complex. But the administration could only offer alternatives since it is the IHC chief justice’s prerogative to vacate the building. After the IHC was re-established in 2011, Capital Development Authority (CDA), allotted 3.3 acres for a building on Constitution Avenue, but construction has yet to begin.

CADD Joint Educational Adviser Rafique Tahir said he had objected to the proposal to shift the courts to primary schools. It wasn’t practical, he added. “The administration may consider shifting the courts to the CADD building to which I’ve no objection.”

Islamabad Deputy Commissioner Mujahid Sherdil said a set of proposals came under discussion during a meeting with lawyers, of which the best one entailed shifting the courts to the CADD building. The building is huge with 48 rooms and will be able to accommodate the courts.

“After the 18 amendment curriculum development has been transferred to the provinces and this building may be used temporarily.”

Replying to a question about the lawyers’ refusal to accept any proposal and launch a protest, he said lawyers want the courts to be shifted to their custom-built building which is occupied by the IHC. “It depends on the IHC chief justice’s willingness to shift to the Federal Shariat Court building.”

An official in IHC, who did not wish to be identified, confirmed that a proposal to move the IHC to the Federal Shariat Court building was under consideration.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 18^th, 2014.