Guarding the judiciary: IGP proposes special security force for courts

Says present rules allow scant protection for judges.

PESHAWAR:

In view of increased attacks on courts and continuing threats to members of the judiciary, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) IGP Nasir Khan Durrani has recommended the formation of a special security force for courts and judicial officials of the province.

In a letter written to the provincial government, Durrani has called for the establishment of a dedicated Court Security Force. The proposal comes after thorough deliberations with the legal fraternity and security consultants, according to a spokesperson of the police department.

Security arrangements of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s courts have been enhanced in light of revised threat assessments and orders of judges in the aftermath of terrorist attacks on the judicial complex in Peshawar and the more recent siege on Islamabad’s district courts.

Presently, approximately 3,200 police personnel, in addition to the naib courts, are deployed across the province for the security of judicial establishments, judicial officials and justices of the superior judiciary.

The IGP’s letter highlighted shortcomings of the Police Rules, 1934 to cope with current security challenges wherein only judges of the superior judiciary and district and sessions courts are entitled to police protection and that too when they are out of their respective headquarters.

It stated, “The mechanism for providing security to judges of superior judiciary, judicial officers and other allied judicial organs as prescribed by the Police Rules, 1934 is not in consonance with the requirements of the current security situation. Present-day requirements necessitate the need for foolproof security for all judicial establishments, officers and judges on a sustainable basis.”

Presently, the provincial police are unable to provide a requisite force from its regular strength to protect judges without affecting their standard functions.

According to a police officer privy to the contents of the letter, the proposed force will be headed by an SP ranked officer in Peshawar and an inspector in the remaining district headquarters. It will be under the administrative control of Peshawar High Court’s registrar and relevant district and sessions judges respectively.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 1^st, 2014.