City Courts Still Prone To Attacks

The security plan for the City Courts, chalked out after last week’s militant attack, did not seem to be implemented as 95 per cent of the vehicles parked on the court premises on Wednesday did not have the stickers of any of the bar associations. This scribe, during a visit to the City Courts, did not witness any change in the situation vis-a-vis precautionary measures following last week attack, as security personnel and lawyers seemed least bothered about what was happening around. The proposed security plan for the court was discussed between the office-bearers of the Karachi Bar Association and CCPO Karachi Waseem Ahmed and it was assured that a foolproof security plan would be implemented within 15 days. At an initial stage, it was decided that the vehicles without having KBA stickers would not be allowed to enter the court premises, besides one-way traffic would be ensured on the main Raja Riaz Road and its adjacent road. However, no such measures were adopted on Wednesday, as vehicles were seen violating traffic rules right under the nose of the Traffic Police. The much delayed security plan was geared up following a grenade attack on the City Courts last week by Jundullah activists that claimed the lives of a policeman and a fleeing under trial prisoner. It was admitted during the marathon meeting between the CCPO and KBA representatives that the incident occurred due to security lapse and it was agreed that every person entering the court would be thoroughly checked and extra police personnel would be deputed. However, no such security check was clamped, as even beggars and vendors were seen moving freely on the court premises. It was on the CCPO’s assurance that KBA put off its call for an indefinite strike from Monday last. However, only time will tell as to whether the foolproof security plan would ever be implemented at the City Courts.