LAHORE: Lahore High Court (LHC) Chief Justice Aalia Neelum on Wednesday issued an immediate directions to police authorities to further strengthen security arrangements in all courts across Punjab.

The chief justice observed that ensuring the safety and protection of judges, court staff, lawyers and the litigants, was the foremost priority of the judiciary, said a statement.

Expressing deep grief and sorrow over the recent tragic act of terrorism outside the Islamabad district courts, the chief justice said that such incidents highlighted the urgent need to reinforce the security and sanctity of the judicial system.

She directed the concerned police authorities to identify and rectify any potential security lapses at the LHC and district courts, ensuring that all available resources were utilised to achieve foolproof protection.

The statement said that in compliance with the instructions of CJ Neelum, security measures had been further tightened at the LHC and all judicial complexes of the province. Modern walk-through gates, metal detectors and complete body search had been reinforced at all entry and exit points, it added.

IGP reviews security arrangements in the province

Furthermore, 24-hour CCTV surveillance cameras had been enhanced inside and outside of the court premises to promptly detect any suspicious activity and enable swift action.

Additionally, secret monitoring and improved security protocols had also been implemented in parking areas to ensure maximum safety and convenience for both lawyers and the litigants.

Meanwhile, Punjab Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dr Usman Anwar chaired a meeting via video-link to review the security, law and order, and other matters at the Central Police Office.

The IGP directed that security arrangements across the province, including Lahore, be made more effective. He said that in view of the current security situation, the police were put on high alert at courts, judges’ residential areas, Chinese projects, judicial complexes, and other sensitive locations.

Dr Anwar said that under the supervision of the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD), combing and search operations were being conducted at important routes and sensitive locations at an accelerated pace. Checking at inter-provincial border police checkposts, entry, and exit points had also been further tightened.

The IGP said that the security audit of sensitive locations had been completed, while a foolproof plan was formulated after a comprehensive review of the security of all judicial complexes. The monitoring and coverage of Safe City cameras had been extended to all judicial complexes, he added.

IG Punjab said that any vehicles entering judicial complexes would now require a special sticker and no unauthorised vehicle would be allowed on the court premises.

Search and sweep operations of judges’ routes were being carried out on a daily basis, he added.

Dr Anwar directed officers to further accelerate the deportation of illegally residing Afghan nationals and other foreigners from the province.

Published in Dawn, November 13th, 2025