ISLAMABAD: In the backdrop of the security situation created by the kidnapping of Barrister Awais Ali Shah, the son of the Sindh High Court chief justice, a high-level security meeting at the Supreme Court on Monday pressed the federal government to formulate short- and long-term policies to tighten security of the courts, judges and their families.

Chaired by Chief Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali, the meeting was called to review the security measures taken so far for the protection of courts in general, and judges of the superior courts in particular, as well as ensuring the safe recovery of Barrister Shah.

The meeting was a follow-up of a series of consultations the chief justice had earlier held with chief secretaries and inspectors general from different provinces regarding better security for the public in general and judges in particular.

Monday’s hour-long meeting, held in the Supreme Court building, was also attended by other judges of the apex court, the chief justices of the Federal Shariat Court (FSC) and the five high courts and Interior Secretary Arif Khan.

Ways to improve the capacity of police considered by meeting held at SC

The secretaries and police officers individually briefed the chair about the security measures and arrangements made for the security of judges and their families in all provinces, as well as Islamabad.

The meeting also considered different ways to enhance the security of judges and further build the capacity of the police force.

Judges also put forward their suggestions and reservations, underlining the need to take precautionary measures. They asked senior administrative offices to employ all available resources to enhance the capacity of the police to cope with emerging security challenges and emphasised the need to equip the police with modern techniques and equipment.

The chief justice ordered the interior secretary to convey the outcome of Monday’s meeting to the federal government and formulate short- and long-term policies to dealing with the issue.

The chief justice also directed the provincial chief secretaries and police chiefs to take measures to devise effective security systems, so that judges and their families could be provided foolproof security.

Before chairing the high-level meeting, the chief justice also held a meeting of the Judicial Commission (JC) to recommend the appointment of five judges to the Peshawar and Balochistan high courts.

After thorough consideration, the commission recommended Ibrahim Khan and Ishtiaq Ibrahim to be appointed as additional judges of the Peshawar High Court for one year but dropped the names of Sohail Akhtar, Muzammil Khan and Mian Hussain Ali.

The JC also recommended the names of Abdullah Baloch, Zaheeruddin Kakar and Syed Anwar Aftab to become additional judges of the Balochistan High Court for a year, but dropped the name of Nazir Ahmed Langu.

The commission will consider after one year — in view of their performance — whether the five additional judges should be absorbed permanently or not.

Published in Dawn, July 19th, 2016