Access denied: In Gilani’s SC appearance, commuters held accountable

Remain stuck in traffic jam for more than two hours.

ISLAMABAD:

Much to the chagrin of commuters, traffic in the capital remained on a standstill on Thursday. Just when Prime Minister (PM) Yousaf Raza Gilani was to appear in the Supreme Court for his hearing, many were forced to wait in a traffic jam for hours, en route to the red zone.

Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP) blocked all the roads during the PM’s hearing in the apex court. Long queues of vehicles were witnessed as Aga Khan Road F-5/1, Khayaban-e- Suhrawardy and Radio Pakistan Chowk were completely blocked for more than two hours.

“I am surprised that ITP has closed all the roads leading towards the Constitutional Avenue, despite the fact that a number of government offices are located in the vicinity,” said a Muhammad Arif, who was stuck in traffic at Aga Khan Road. He added that commuters had no choice but to stay on roads till PM left the court. The employees working in different offices near or within red zone area were most perturbed by the traffic mess.

Many were seen going to offices on foot. While talking to The Express Tribune, they criticised the embarrassing security measures, terming them “as unjust”.

“I left for office around 8am and its 10:45am and I’m still stuck at a picket near Serena Hotel,’’ said Abdul Ghaffar, a government employee.

“This is the difference between our rulers and the ones in the west. Their public never faces any difficulties during VIP movement,’’ said Najma Tariq, an employee of Radio Pakistan. “The rulers never miss a chance to put us through agony,” she added.

Nasir Shaukat, who works at a government office located in the red zone, added, “All of my colleagues had to spend more than two hours on the roads today. I have realised that delivery of justice is actually a really big thing here,” he said, referring to the PM’s hearing at the Supreme Court.

Meanwhile, a large numbers of people including lawyers and some supporters of the Pakistan People Party assembled at the Constitutional Avenue to express solidarity with the PM. The situation became awry when some lawyers raised slogans Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan, who representing the PM in the case. However, the situation was brought under control.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 20^th, 2012.