News Desk
Peshawar : Chief Justice of Peshawar High Court, Justice Ihtisham Ibrahim, expressed strong dissatisfaction over the lack of security provided to judges, stating that all judges must be given security.
During a hearing on the security situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, following a petition filed by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Bar Council, Justice Ibrahim emphasized that when a judge delivers a verdict against the police, officers often withdraw the judge’s security in retaliation, a practice he said will no longer be tolerated. He directed that all judges must be provided with security.
The two-member bench, comprising Justice Ihtisham Ibrahim and Justice Ejaz Anwar, heard the petition. In the courtroom, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Bar Council Chairman Sadiq Ali Mehmood, Additional Advocate General Inam Yousafzai, and Additional Attorney General Sanaullah were present.
The petitioner’s lawyer informed the court that the security situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was deteriorating, and judicial officers, including judges, were not being provided adequate protection. The lawyer explained that several meetings had been held on the matter but no solution had been reached.
Justice Ibrahim pointed out that deputy commissioners and assistant commissioners had security, but judges, particularly those who made decisions against the police, were at risk of their security being withdrawn. He also raised concerns about the alarming number of 55,000 to 60,000 FIRs being registered annually in Peshawar.
The Additional Advocate General informed the court that SOPs for judicial security had been established. A representative from the Home Department mentioned that due to the ongoing polio campaign, police resources were diverted, but Justice Ejaz Anwar suggested creating a separate force for polio vaccination duties to avoid affecting judicial security.
The representatives of the Home Department clarified that judges in sensitive areas were being provided security but judicial magistrates were not covered in the security protocols. The judges also discussed the issue of vehicles for judges, pointing out that while ministers and officials had multiple vehicles, judges lacked such provisions.
In response to a request for bulletproof vehicles for judges in sensitive areas, Justice Ibrahim confirmed that Peshawar High Court had one bulletproof vehicle available, which the government could utilize if needed.
During the hearing, the Additional Attorney General raised concerns that security was not provided to officers in the Attorney General’s office, a situation the Chief Justice responded to with criticism.
The Peshawar High Court has adjourned the case until December 18, after the registrar confirmed that new security SOPs had been received and would be reviewed before the next hearing.
