RAWALPINDI: The security of judicial institutions is being heightened across the province in the wake of intelligence reports indicating that the legal fraternity might be targeted by terrorists.

In the wake of these reports, the Punjab Home Department has ordered security to be tightened across the province and for the provision of extra security for judges, lawyers and courts.

Intelligence reports reveal that the information was gleaned from a member of the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan’s (TTP) Jamaatul Ahrar faction.

However, the law enforcement agencies could not ascertain when and where these attacks were to be carried out, though sources say that lawyers and courts may be the target yet again.

In the wake of the directions, Special Branch re-evaluated existing security measures in Rawalpindi and found a number of loopholes.

“We have been sending fortnightly reports to the police and district administration, but have not seen any improvements [in security measures],” an official said.

Vulnerable areas such as high courts, district courts, tehsil offices, lawyers’ chambers, judicial complexes and individuals such as bar council and bar association office-bearers and judges of the lower and superior courts need to be better protected.

The home department has instructed the Rawalpindi police and other law enforcement agencies to devise a fresh security plan in consultation with the registrar Lahore High Court, registrar Supreme Court Registry Branch and respective bar associations and councils.

Additional security measures will be taken during public meetings, events and rallies planned by lawyers and security measures will be tightened around the homes of judges, along with their intercity movement.

In case of an attack, the gathering of people at the site of the attack or the hospital where victims are moved will also be stopped to avoid a subsequent terrorist attack, such as the suicide attack on the lawyers gathered at Civil Hospital Quetta on Aug 8, 2016.

The home department has asked the police to monitor the activities of people connected with proscribed organisations and has directed for “strict and indiscriminate physical search and scanning, checking of all security staff and officials of important organisations at entry gates even if wearing official uniform must be ensured”.

Provincial authorities have ordered law enforcement agencies to implement the security instructions issued by the home department.

Published in Dawn, February 7th, 2017