‘Open Sahibzada Abdul Qayyum Road for public’

PHC directs officials to start phase-wise removal of check posts

PESHAWAR: The Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Tuesday asked why security check posts have been set up on busy thoroughfares of the city as noted that they were infringing on the public’s freedom of movement.

A two-member bench of the high court comprising Justice Qasir Rashid Khan and Justice Musarat Hilali, which was hearing a writ petition filed by Khurshid Khan against setting up of barricades and check posts in Peshawar, directed the authority’s concerned to remove such barricades in phases.

The court also ordered to open the Sahibzada Abdul Qayyum Road for the public.

The Sahibzada Abdul Qayyum Road connects Khyber Road with Saddar Road. However, the key thoroughfare has been closed for public owing to poor law and order situation in the city. The road has immense security importance since it passes through the cantonment area and important buildings such as the Chief Minister and Governor’s house are located on it.

The court observed that if opened, the road could help alleviate the massive traffic congestion on other thoroughfares of the city, caused by the construction of the Bus Rapid Transit system.

“Keep some barricades and posts on it, due to important buildings, but let it be open for the public,” the court ordered, as it asked the Peshawar Cantonment Board chief executive officer to take up the issue of opening the road with officials at the governor house and other authorities concerned.

The PHC asked officials to help the people regain some confidence instead of creating fear amongst them by setting up check posts.

“People have shown bravery in the face of terrorism. They are not in fear so why have the roads been closed through numerous check posts,” observed Justice Qasir during the hearing.

“When a single check post is enough to check, what is the need of setting up three posts in the same location?” he asked, noting that if one post has cleared them, why should they be checked three different times.

“While passing through the posts, one feels like their liberty is being curbed, one feels as if they are suspects,” Justice Qasir further observed.

However, the court remarked that there was a need to balance the security needs and hence do not want to completely strip the roads of all security posts abruptly. Hence it directed that steps in this regards should be taken but in a phased manner.

The court, though, observed that the security officials should not violate the dignity of any person at such check posts and that the public should be treated with politeness.

SP Security Sajjad Khan, who appeared before the court on Tuesday, said that none of the check posts set up in the city was manned by police. Rather, police only man posts located on the entry and exit points to the city.

“So far, we have not received any complaints about the police check posts from the public,” the officer told the court.

Peshawar Cantonment Board Chief Executive Officer Adil Siddiqui told the court that on its orders, they have taken steps to remove some of the check posts, including one on Kohat road and another near the AG office.

“I have conveyed the court’s directives to the authorities and have received a very positive response and have also appreciated it,” Siddiqui told the court. He added a detailed report in this regard will be submitted to the court.

District Nazim Muhammad Asif, while appearing before the court, said that most of the check posts are located in the cantonment areas, which are out of his jurisdiction.

The two-member bench directed the respondents to submit a progress report and adjourned the case until January 18.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 6^th, 2017.