The suicide attack in Shadi Khan village of Attock, which killed Punjab Home Minister Shuja Khanzada, a deputy superintendent of police (DSP) and 20 others, has raised concerns amongst legislators and the judiciary, many of whom see it as an emerging wave of terrorism in the region.

Shortly after the attack, senior police officials were asked by legislators and the lower judiciary to tighten the existing security measures taken for them. The demand is one of the concerns for police officials, who worry they may not have the manpower to fulfill it.

A senior official said that Islamabad police were already facing a shortage of manpower, and increasing security for legislators and the judiciary would take away from them the strength needed to protect life and property of ordinary citizens.

“Security measures for the two classes are being provided at the cost of the public,” the official said.

The official said that two officers are already given to all members of the lower, higher and apex courts, and police guards are also deployed at their residences. Ministers, too, are given police guards.

The official said that the government decided to establish a separate force for VIPs and legislators almost two years ago, but the directive is little more than lip service.

Following the bombing in Attock, the district and sessions court has sought security in and around the lower courts. In a letter to the inspector general of Islamabad police (IGP), a district and sessions court judge states,

“It is sad state of affairs, that the police officials deputed in the courts by the police authorities are not performing their duties as required by law, and it is to intimate to you that this act of police officials and police officers amounts to criminal negligence.”

Quoting the letter, the senior police official said: “It is hereby required that strict action be taken against the delinquents and proper security arrangements be made without any loss of time.”

In response, the court was informed that 126 officers, along with eight paramilitary troops, are deployed around the courts. In addition, the court was told that since there are no separate sanctioned posts for the security of district courts, police personnel have been deployed from the existing strength of the police force.

Although security arrangements have been made, the official said that police personnel find it difficult to maintain security measures at the district court, in part due to the uncooperative attitude of the lawyers’ community with police officials performing their security duties.

The district and sessions court was requested to approach the lawyers’ community through the President District Bar Council to have them cooperative with police officials for body searches. Islamabad police have also requested the court to approach the district administration and repair any out-of-order CCTV cameras and walk-through gate, immediately.

The official said that cameras and walk-through gates were installed in and around the courts after the attack at the lower courts in 2014.

The official said that the location of the courts also make them harder to secure. The courts are in a commercial area, which is accessible from all sides, and the multitude of entry and exit points make it difficult to maintain security. In addition, the official said that the visiting public often also refuses to cooperate with security personnel. The courts also have no designated parking area.

The official said that the superintendent of police Saddar Zone and the Margalla sub-divisional police office, are responsible for the security of the courts, and have been instructed to visit the courts in the F-8 sector daily, in order to supervise security arrangements. They have also been asked to create a contingency plan for the enhancement of existing security measures.

The legislators’ request for an increase in police guards has also been denied, the official said.

In response, a meeting was held at the Ministry of Interior last week, where Islamabad police officials and administration gathered to discuss security provisions to legislators. Capital police informed the ministry that it was impossible to give security to each and every legislator, including ministers, the official said.

However, police agreed to tighten security in and around the Red Zone, which houses the Parliament House, the Parliament Lodges, and the Minister Enclave.

The official said that there are 28 legislators, including ministers, who are either under threat or are possible targets, in addition to 50 other politicians, religious figures, and senior bureaucrats.

“Private security guards deployed with them are being verified,” the official said, and added that the guards were being instructed on how to more effectively secure their clients.

“Police are also checking the security measures around them and the buildings under their use, in order to suggest improvements,” the official added.

Published in Dawn, August 31st, 2015

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