ISLAMABAD, July 7: The Supreme Court on Saturday declared security arrangements for its judges and the building as inadequate and directed the authorities to make it comprehensive and fool proof.
The orders were issued when the attention of Acting Chief Justice Rana Bhagwandas was drawn towards the fact that security personnel and vehicles for security of the judges were often deputed to other security duties on need basis.
Great significance is being attached to the orders that came in an environment when the federal capital is in the grip of Lal Masjid standoff for the last five days, giving rise to many security concerns in view of possible reaction in the wake of operation to quell militants holed up in the mosque compound.
The standoff has also created concern among the judges which became evident on Thursday last when Justice Khalil-ur-Rehman Ramday observed that: “May God protect every body as the last two days were very depressing.”
In his orders the ACJ directed the interior ministry and Islamabad IGP Chaudhry Iftikhar to beef up the security for judges, building of the Supreme Court and the residences of judges by making the safety measures comprehensive and fool proof.
Directions were also issued that the SSP (security) should monitor and supervise the arrangements and submit a report in this regard to the registrar of the Supreme Court on 30th of each month.
The ACJ had noted that the security measures for the protection of the judges of the Supreme Court, the Supreme Court building and allied buildings such as (residences and rest houses) were inadequate.
