RAWALPINDI: A special team, headed by a senior judge of the Supreme Court, is scheduled to visit Rawalpindi district courts for a fresh security audit on Saturday.

According to sources, the special team will visit different courts, including the anti-terrorism court, judicial complex and Bakshikhana, besides holding a meeting with the sessions judge. Representatives of all provincial departments will also be present.

Several loopholes in the security of the judicial complex and other courts were pointed out by the Special Branch. The district police were asked to follow the standard operating procedure (SOP) regarding the security of courts.

It was observed that Quick Response Force (QRF) was not deployed for the security of the courts and police officials on duty lacked security equipment and weapons in accordance to the SOP.

The police were also not using bulletproof jackets and helmets.

Special stickers were not provided to motorcycles and cars being used by lawyers and the backup recording of CCTV cameras for 15 days was not being saved.

A sufficient number of police personnel was also not available for security of prisoners being kept at Bakshikhana.

Ahead of the special team’s visit, City Police Officer Mohammad Faisal Rana along with the chief security officer and other senior police officials visited the ATC and reviewed security arrangements.

Published in Dawn, June 15th, 2019