Rawalpindi District Court. PHOTO: ARCHIVE
Despite increasing terrorist threats in the twin cities, the district courts in Rawalpindi, one of the busiest areas of the city, have become a major security risk due to the collapse of the surveillance and security system.
Of the 77 CCTV cameras installed in the premises, 61 are faulty, images of 9 are not working and only 7 are partially functional, resulting in unusable images in the dark.
Four gates at the main entrances have been inoperative for more than 18 months and the metal detectors are also completely defective.
Police pickets on rooftops have been dismantled and officers deployed for court security have been reassigned to cricket stadiums due to the ongoing matches between Pakistan and Sri Lanka, leaving the complex even more vulnerable.
With only three official security shifts and a shortfall of 50 personnel, security gaps remain critical. About 30,000 to 35,000 people visit the complex daily for court hearings, depositions, property records and official documentation.
District Bar Association president Sardar Manzar Bashir confirmed that a report on malfunctioning security systems had been submitted to the deputy commissioner, demanding urgent repairs, the installation of new gates and the deployment of plainclothes intelligence officers.
The district administration said directives have been issued to immediately upgrade the system, repair all cameras and install new passage gates, adding that more surveillance cameras will also be installed around the premises.
Dozens of police officers absent from their VVIP duties
A major security lapse has emerged in the federal capital as 76 officers and staff of the Islamabad Police Operational Wing were found absent without prior notice from their VVIP security duties during the International Speakers Conference and visits by foreign cricket teams.
SSP Security Division Captain (retd) Zeeshan Haider described the situation as highly alarming and sent letters to higher authorities, recommending strict departmental action, including dismissal of negligent officials.
