ISLAMABAD: Upon receiving assurance from the federal government, the Supreme Court of Pakistan on Monday disposed of a petition seeking security for judges and lawyers of accountability courts, DawnNews reported.
A three-member bench of the apex court headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry resumed the hearing pertaining to a petition submitted by Advicate Shahid Kamal which sought security for judges and lawyers of accountability courts.
During the hearing Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry remarked that the chief justices of the four provinces would be better apprised about the security situation of judges.
The petitioner told the court that the country's law and order situation was very bad and that judges were being targeted in Quetta and Karachi. He added that there was no clause available in the constitution pertaining to security for judges.
Additional Attorney General Shah Khawar informed the court that the government was responsible for provision of security to judges.
Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry replied that even in the absence of a clause it was the government's responsibility to provide security, adding that it was the duty of the government to protect the life and property of every citizen.
Khawar responded by saying that the government was willing to fulfill its constitutional responsibilities.
The court disposed the petition while declaring that the government provide security to judges of the accountability courts, adding that the province should provide security to judges working under the respective province's jurisdiction.
