LAHORE: Issuing a new security protocol for the courts all over the province, Punjab IG retired Capt Arif Nawaz said as per the new arrangement maximum age limit of the policemen deputed on the court premises will be 35.

He also declared mandatory the security clearance of the policemen by the special branch before deputing them at any of the court in Punjab.

The new scheme was introduced in the wake of some recent attacks carried out at the courts in Lahore.

The new standard operating procedure (SOP) has been issued to all the regional police officers, district police officers and other wings of the Punjab police.

Guidelines for the physical search of all those visiting the courts, including the lawyers, have also been dispatched to avoid any inconvenience.

Under the SOP, inspection of the security measures at the courts by the SHO of the area police station, DSP and the SP has also been declared compulsory.

Each cop deputed at the court will be replaced by new one after a period of three months. He will be trained in firing before his posting and will be equipped with submachine gun on duty with minimum 60 rounds of ammunition, according to the new SOP.

Published in Dawn, April 25th, 2018