Chief Justice LHC holds high level security meeting
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LAHORE: (APP) Lahore High Court Chief Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah on Tuesday chaired a meeting to address security situation of the courts premises throughout Punjab in the wake of the Quetta carnage.
The meeting was attended by Justice Shahid Hameed Dar, Justice Abdul Sami Khan, Justice Atir Mehmood, Registrar LHC, chief secretary Punjab, home secretary Punjab, advocate general Punjab, Inspector General of Police Punjab, Vice Chairman Punjab Bar Council, Muhammad Ahsan Bhoon, member Pakistan Bar Council, President and Secretary Lahore High Court Bar Association, President District Bar Association Lahore and District and Sessions Judge Lahore.
In opening remarks, the LHC chief justice said justice system was under serious attack. He said lawyers and judges needed to stand up together against this common but faceless enemy and jointly protect the justice system.
"While High Court is making efforts to build up security for lawyers and litigants in the court premises, the Bar and the Bench must understand that there is no time for differences between them," he added.
"Our best revenge and response is to ensure that at all cost, our justice system functions smoothly and efficiently. We owe this to our country and to litigants who approach us every day," he said.
He said: "After the period of mourning was over, we must work hard to achieve these ends and never let the justice system slow down."
The meeting agreed that the country was in a state of war and the law enforcement agencies alone cannot fight out the faceless enemy. Therefore, an internal security mechanism should be evolved by the Bar and Bench through a consultative and coordinated process.
In this regard, the chief justice constituted a committee for the security arrangements of High Court. The committee will consist of a Judge of Lahore High Court (to be nominated by the Chief Justice), Registrar Lahore High Court, Lahore, President and Secretary of Lahore High Court Bar Association, Vice Chairman/member Punjab Bar Council and SP Security (High Court).
On the same pattern, security committees will also be constituted at the district level. The committee will consist of District and Sessions Judge, DPO, DCO, members Punjab Bar Council, President and Secretaries of District and Tehsils of the district concerned. These committees will meet at least once in a fortnight.
The CJ asked the Punjab chief secretary to consider the Punjab Bar Council as a part of Lahore High Court and to ensure adequate security.
Keeping in view, the alarming law and order situation, it was agreed upon that arrangements would be made to reduce entry points to the courts premises by restricting it to one entry and one exit point.
The entry of litigants to High Court would be channelized through special entry passes. A litigant would not be allowed to bring with him more than one person. Lawyers' bodies would also ensure proper registration mechanism of clerks/Munshis and appropriate uniform would be prescribed for them.
It was further resolved that the government will take expedient measures for construction of boundary walls of all court complexes in the Punjab. Chief Secretary Punjab on behalf of the government assured that he will extend every possible support to beef up security of lawyers, judges, their staff and litigant public.
All the participants of the meeting expressed their grief over the tragic accident of Lawyers from Malkwal, in Chilas.
Chief Justice, requested the Chief Secretary Punjab to ensure every possible support to the injured lawyers.
Earlier, the meeting started with Fateha for the martyrs of the Quetta blast.
