Contempt hearing: Security heightened for Gilani’s day in court

Special passes issued, Constitution Ave closed, multiple checks before entry ordered.

ISLAMABAD:

Security will be heightened in and around the Supreme Court before and during the appearance of Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani in the apex court in a contempt of court case on Thursday.

The court administration has issued special entry passes for visitors, “for proper court decorum and smooth functioning of the Supreme Court,” according to a press release issued by the SC administration on Wednesday.

A seven-member bench headed by Justice Nasirul Mulk will hear the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) implementation case. The same bench issued a contempt notice to the PM on January 16 due to the non-implementation of the court decision in the NRO case.

The court administration has issued 150 passes to journalists against the seating capacity of 65 in the courtroom No 4, while 30 seats are available in the gallery.  A list of visitors who will accompany the PM had not yet been received when this report was filed.

Special security cameras have been installed in the courtrooms, at public entry gates and reception areas of the court.

“In view of the limited seating capacity in Courtroom 4, entry is to be regulated through special security passes in order to allow access to all relevant persons in order of priority,” said the press release, adding that “passes will be issued to parties to the case and their lawyers appearing before the court on top priority.”

The entry of journalists who regularly cover Supreme Court proceedings will also be made through passes. As regards others, due to shortage of seating, only a few senior lawyers and general public may be issued passes as per seating capacity on “first-come-first-serve basis”.

Malik reviews security

Meanwhile Interior Minister Rehman Malik chaired a high level meeting at the ministry on Wednesday to review security arrangements at the Supreme Court.

It was decided that no pedestrian or vehicular traffic will be allowed through the Red Zone from morning till court proceedings are over.

Only, bona fide lawyers or card holders will be allowed entry into the Supreme Court.

Three cordons of security will be maintained around the court.

Entry points will be manned by Supreme Court security police and the outer cordons by police and Rangers. The Security DIG will liaise as Focal Person with the SC Registrar.

The IGP shall be on premises throughout court proceedings. Every visitor shall pass through three scanners before entering court building. A security sweep of the Supreme Court building shall be conducted by the Special Branch.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 19^th, 2012.