VIP protocol case: AG, DAG issued notices

Rights activists claim closure of roads for security movement is illegal

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) issued on Thursday notices to relevant federal and provincial authorities on petitions against VIP protocol enjoyed by high-profile personalities.

Headed by SHC Chief Justice Sajjad Ali Shah, the division bench directed the advocate-general (AG) and deputy attorney general (DAG) to file comments of relevant authorities at the hearing.

The bench had taken up three identical petitions filed by civil rights campaigner Rana Faizul Hasan, Ansar Burney Trust International and Sarim Burney. The petitioners had named secretaries of the Presidency, Prime Minister House, interior ministry, Sindh home department and the Sindh chief secretary as respondents.

Sarim said blocking of public thoroughfares during VIP movement forces citizens to remain stuck in traffic jams for hours.

He pleaded the court to declare these measures illegal and against the law.

Public outcry over the issue gained momentum following the death of an infant, Basma, in Karachi last year due to VIP movement. Days later, the Ansar Burney trust filed a petition stating that motorcades of high-profile public officials routinely trampled public sentiments.

He said the high-speed movement of VIPs' armed convoys, with their bomb-and-bullet proof cars and tinted windows, scares the masses and causes unnecessary inconvenience to the public. The petitioner alleged that traffic is brought to a standstill and people are held 'hostage' to ensure a smooth drive for the VIPs.

He argued that the articles 9, 10, 14, 15 and 25 of the Constitution specifically guarantee rights for the security, liberty, dignity, freedom of movement and equality of all citizens, thereby every person has an inalienable right to enjoy the protection of and be treated in accordance with the law. On Thursday, the bench issued notices to the AG Sindh and DAG to file comments of the relevant authorities at the next date of hearing, which would be announced later by the court office.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 5^th,  2016.