LAHORE: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has voiced grave concern over the bomb blast in Quetta on Thursday that was aimed at a Federal Shariat Court judge, seeking prompt action to ensure protection of lawyers and judges.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the commission said: `It is difficult not to see the explosion in Quetta targeting Federal Shariat Court (FSC) Judge Zahoor Shawani and his security detail as a continuation of attacks on legal fraternity in Quetta.

`Fortunately, the FSC judge escaped injury but over a dozen people, including police personnel and civilians, were injured. The bombing comes just days after a suicide blast that killed over 70 people, mostly lawyers, in Quetta.

Thursday`s attack is a further reminder of the vulnerability of the legal community in Quetta.

`Amid prevailing fear of violence among lawyers and judges in the provincial capital of Balochistan, it is difficult for them to carry out their functions independently and impartially, or even to move around.

It said that ensuring security of members of the bar and the bench was vital for the functioning of an independent legal profession and for rule of law itself.

HRCP urged the government to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation into the attacks.