District courts operating without security gates

ISLAMABAD: Security arrangements at the district courts complex have been left severely weakened after the completion of the District Courts Chowk flyover and underpass project, with contractors leaving without reinstalling entrance gates on the four main access routes.

According to the reported details, the absence of the gates has left the court premises open to unrestricted public access. The main entry points to the district courts currently resemble open grounds, allowing people to enter the complex at any time of the day or night.

The original gates reportedly went missing during bulldozing work carried out in connection with the project. Walk-through security gates installed at the entry points are no longer effective, while metal detectors are also lying non-functional.

Security concerns have also deepened because all 77 CCTV cameras installed across the district courts complex have fallen into disrepair. The CCTV monitoring control room has also stopped functioning, effectively leaving the surveillance system inoperative.

The district courts complex has eight small and large access routes. Among them, the most frequently used entry points are located near Court Chowk, Jinnah Park, the Deputy Commissioner's Office, the Facilitation Centre, Habib Bank Limited and the main court passage.

Lawyers raise alarm over security situation

Lawyers have strongly protested against what they described as deteriorating security arrangements at the courts complex.

Assistant Attorney General Masood Shah said the district administration must immediately install entrance gates. He warned that if any untoward incident occurred, strict action would be taken and FIRs would be registered against those held responsible.

District Bar President Tariq Mahmood Sajid Awan said directions had already been issued to the district administration to install central entrance gates at the main District Courts Chowk and on the side opposite Jinnah Park, along with complete security checkpoints.

He said responsibility for ensuring security at the courts rested with the administration, while the bar would carry out all duties falling within its own mandate.

The reported situation has turned the district courts complex into what was described as a major security risk, with both physical access controls and electronic monitoring systems no longer functioning as intended.

The concerns come after the completion of the District Courts Chowk flyover and underpass project, which altered the surrounding area but, left key security infrastructure at the court complex unrestored.