Policemen stand guard before the Supreme Court’s decision. PHOTO: AFP
Stringent security measures taken by the administration and police ensured that the landmark day passed peacefully – save the political tremors in corridors of power.
Anticipating a large rush of people and charged political supporters from the ruling and opposition parties, extraordinary security measures had been put in place from late on Thursday evening by the authorities. The Red Zone had been put on high alert and entry was restricted to authorized people only.
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Over 3,000 personnel from the Islamabad Police, Rangers, and Frontier Constabulary were deployed in and outside the Supreme Court building, which had been cordoned off with barbed wire, presenting the appearance of a fort.
Entry into the Supreme Court was also restricted to those who had special permission to enter the compound. Moreover, officials maintained a strict check at all the entry points to the Red Zone.
Police had also deployed a large number of personnel, including women, in plain clothes inside court room No 1 where the five-member bench announced its verdict.
A PTI supporter distributes sweets. PHOTO: AFP
Anticipating the arrival of supporters from Rawalpindi and other parts of the Punjab, security had been heightened at the entry points of the capital at Faizabad, Bhara Kahu, Golra and Tarnol.
Earlier on Friday morning, a large number of people gathered in and outside the Supreme Court at around 11:30 am when the verdict was scheduled in the apex court’s cause list for the announcement.
The police, who had been deployed in riot gear, remained largely successful in restricting party workers from getting close to the court’s building.
While there was no major fracas between party supporters and law enforcers, there were occasional outbursts of sloganeering by workers and lawyers outside the court. But the situation largely remained peaceful with no repeat of 1997.
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After the verdict was announced, there was a mixed reaction from the crowds of politicians, lawyers and journalists gathered outside the top court.
Those supporting the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Awami Muslim League (AML) broke out into cheers. Some resorted to dancing with others prostrating in thanksgiving prayer. Some even brought sweetmeats to the crowd and started distributing them among jubilant party workers.
On the other hand, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz supporters were a picture of despair. Some raised slogans against the verdict.
But later, as most of the party leaders and ministers left the court’s premises, the supporters too dispersed peacefully.
Despite that, contingents of police and Rangers remained in position outside the court for the entirety of the day together with the barbed wires for the whole day.
“We had prepared a special security plan and it was effectively implemented. The police were successful in maintaining order in the Red Zone,” a police officer on duty said.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 29th, 2017.
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