VVIP roadblocks compromise public convenience

Police routinely obstruct roads leading to LHC for several hours to provide secure routes for political leaders

LAHORE: Barriers, containers and sometimes barbwire, which are installed for security during court appearances of political leaders, have become a source of constant misery for both the public and Lahore police.

Police usually obstruct the roads leading to the Lahore High Court (LHC) and anti-terrorism court for several hours in order to provide secure routes for political leaders commuting from National Accountability Bureau (NAB) offices to the LHC.

Former prime minister Mian Nawaz Sharif, National Assembly Leader of Opposition Mian Shahbaz Sharif, former prime minister Raja Pervez Ashraf, Punjab Assembly Leader of the Opposition Hamza Shahbaz, Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) leader Maryam Safdar, former railways minister Khawaja Saad Rafique, MPA Khawaja Salman Rafique, former PML-N MPA Hafiz Noman, PML-N MNA Rana Sanaullah, former provincial minister for forestry, wildlife and fisheries Sibtain Khan and former Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) chairman Asif Hashmi are among those political leaders whose court appearance require roadblocks.

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When these political leaders appear in court for a hearing, a large number of party workers try to gather for a glimpse of their leader. This leads to a rush and if the police restrain the politically-motivated crowd, it often results in a clash that can spark from just a push.

According to the police, all these political figures bear security threats. To avoid a mishap, police have to ensure foolproof security arrangements via containers, barriers and barbed wire on the way to the court from 7 am until afternoon.

Thousands of personnel are deployed on security duty and this continuation of security for political leaders paralyses the city every now and then.

Owing to the ceased roads from early morning, problems arise for every segment of society, including school-going children, professionals and officegoers in several areas. The issue persists for many hours as people are stuck in a traffic jam. Police try to provide alternative routes to citizens, but the surge in traffic creates problems.

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Just as students and professionals, among others, face trouble reaching their destinations, the business community has expressed its concerns over markets such as Rang Mahal, Akbari Market, Anarkali, Urdu Bazaar and fish market remaining closed until political leaders pass through the roads.

Following the closure of roads, merchants travelling from other cities also face difficulties on their way back. Punjab Bar Council Member Syed Farhad Ali Shah suggested that with the availability of videoconferencing, a hearing of the accused can be conducted within NAB premises.

He added that in prisons, where court facilities are available, judges and lawyers can go to the court to hear and prosecute cases. In reference to NAB cases, the advocate recommended that court, for special cases, should be formed and executed in the NAB complex. He suggested that instead of taking the detainee or prisoner from Thokar Niaz Baig to Islampura, the hearing can be conducted at their own place.

“Also, citizens will be relieved from traffic jam, thousands of policemen will not have to be deployed on the routes and depleting resources can be conserved.”

Published in The Express Tribune, October 19^th, 2019.