Attack on court premises: How can security be ensured at courts?

LHC seeks reply from federal and Punjab governments.

LAHORE:

A division bench of the Lahore High Court on Thursday directed the federal and provincial governments to submit reports about security arrangements in courts after the recent attacks on people on court premises.

Most of these attacks occurred when newly-married couples arrive in courts to record their statements after marrying without the approval of their families. In most such cases, the woman’s family has registered a kidnapping case against the man.

The bench, headed by Justice Anwarul Haq, heard the petition filed by the Lahore High Court Bar Association (LHCBA).

LHCBA president Shafqat Chohan said lives of couples who married for love were at risk due to flaws in law. “Farzana was stoned to death while approaching the LHC in one such case,” he said.

Justice Haq said LHC judges had received threats in the past few days. After hearing the arguments, the bench issued orders to the federal and provincial governments to file their reports about the security arrangements in courts and to give suggestions about amending the relevant marriage laws.

The hearing was then adjourned until July 17.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 11^th, 2014.