QUETTA: The Balochistan government decided in principle on Tuesday to provide bullet-proof vehicles to all judges of the Balochistan High Court.
Informed sources told Dawn that the decision was taken during a meeting held to review security plan of judges of the Balochistan High Court and other subordinate courts in view of the gun and suicide attack on an Islamabad court which left a sessions court judge, and 11 people, including some lawyers, dead.
“The government has a plan to immediately provide bullet-proof vehicles to all high court judges,” the sources said.
At present only Chief Justice of the Balochistan High Court has a bullet-proof vehicle.
“We are reviewing security arrangements in and around the Balochistan High Court and other subordinate courts in view of the Islamabad suicide attack,” the sources said, adding that senior security and government officials held a meeting with the Registrar of the Balochistan High Court on Tuesday for the purpose.
“We discussed new security arrangements for the BHC and other courts in Quetta in view of concerns expressed by the Chief Justice of Balochistan High Court about security of all judges and courts,” he said.
Under the new security plan, snipers will be deployed in and around the courts and watch towers built as soon as possible.
“Similar security arrangements will also be made for security of courts in other areas of the province.
Sources said that a senior judge of a district court informed authorities concerned about threats received by some of judges of subordinate courts and demanded more security for judges.
A suicide bomber blew himself up in the court room of a senior judge some three years ago during hearing of a case. The bombing had left the judge and 17 other people, including some lawyers, dead.
“Lawyers organisations will also be taken on board in connection with the security plan,” a senior official said, adding that security personnel to be deployed under the new security plan would be given daily briefings.
Condolence meeting
Balochistan High Court (BHC) Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa condemned on Tuesday the gun and bomb attack on the district courts in Islamabad and expressed grief over the loss of precious lives.
Speaking at a condolence meeting in the bar room here, the BHC chief justice said it was not the first incident of attacks on courts as similar incidents had occurred in Quetta in the past.
He stressed the need for improving security in and around the premises of courts and asked the government to provide especial security to judges and lawyers. The legal fraternity should cooperate with the administration in this regard, he added.
The BHC chief justice asked media to show responsibility while covering incidents of terrorism.
Representatives of bar associations also spoke on the occasion.