ISLAMABAD: Soon after militants brought death and destruction to the Islamabad district courts complex on Monday, Chief Justice Tassaduq Hussain Jillani issued summons for senior federal and local officials.

“The incident is a serious breach of security at the district courts resulting in loss of precious lives with injuries to many and also damage to property,” the chief justice observed while taking notice of the terrorist attack.

He said the incident was a violation of the fundamental rights under Articles 9, 14 and 24 of the Constitution which called for ensuring security and dignity of a person and protecting property.

Interior Secretary Shahid Khan, Islamabad Chief Commissioner Jawwad Paul and Inspector General Sikander Hayat are required to appear before the Supreme Court on Tuesday. Islamabad High Court Bar President Mohsin Kiani and Islamabad District Court Bar President Naseer Kiani have been asked to assist the court.

The IG Islamabad is required to submit a list of policemen posted at the kuchery for security as well as a comprehensive explanation whether these personnel were on duty at the time of the incident and what security measures were in place to avert such incidents.

The provincial chief secretaries have been asked to submit within three days reports on security measures made at the court premises in their provinces.

The F/8 kuchery is the same place where a suicide bomber had blown himself up outside the venue of a district bar council convention, killing 18 lawyers and political party workers who were waiting for the arrival of then Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry on July 17, 2007, three days before his restoration as chief justice of the Supreme Court.

Monday’s suo motu notice was taken on an office note by the SC registrar containing details of the terrorist attack. It said the attackers had entered the district courts premises, resorted to indiscriminate firing and hurled hand-grenades at people to cause maximum causalities.

A statement by the IG Islamabad suggested that two suicide bombers among the attackers blew themselves up when they were cornered.

The chief justice ordered the court office to make the statement a petition under Article 184(3) of the Constitution and fixed it for hearing at 9am on Tuesday.

Advocate Tariq Asad also filed a petition in the apex court seeking immediate shifting of the F/8 kuchery to G-11 complex which was originally built for the district court but where the Islamabad High Court is currently situated.

He contended that the shifting was necessary for the protection of citizens, litigants and lawyers, particularly judges now hearing cases in open courtrooms without any security.

He suggested that the IHC be shifted to the Federal Shariat Court till the completion of its building in the Constitution Avenue.

Advocate Asad requested the court to constitute a judicial commission comprising a retired superior court judge and a former police officer to investigate the incident.

The IHC has already set up a commission headed by Justice Shaukat Aziz.