Hearing at SC: Fourth time lucky for the local commuters

On the new premier’s hearing alternative plan keeps traffic flowing.

ISLAMABAD:

On the day of the new PM’s hearing at the Supreme Court, the commuters of the capital had only one thing in mind-- will they make it to work on time. Luckily, the Islamabad Police managed to do better than they did when premier Gilani was in office.

Unsurprisingly, strict security arrangements had been made for Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf’s maiden appearance before the SC, but this time the locals were given respite by being provided with alternate routes.

Arrangements

Over 800 police officials as well as Rangers were deputed outside the SC to avoid any untoward incident and the Red Zone was sealed at midnight for all except government officials.

On Sunday, reserve police were deployed at different points around the Red Zone, with particular focus on the route used by the premier. No unauthorised person was allowed in to the Red Zone, a police official said.

Aerial surveillance was also carried out through helicopters during the hearing of the case. Walk-through gates had been installed on the premises of the SC and cars were removed from the parking lot, he added.

To regulate the number of visitors and ensure decorum, the court administration had issued special entry passes for visitors.

The prime minister arrived at the SC at 9:11am along with Law Minister Farooq H Naik, Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira and other cabinet members after which the court proceedings began.

Learning from past

Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP) had also made an alternate traffic plan and as compared to the last hearing, commuters did not face much difficulty.

Earlier on April 26 when former prime minister Yousaf Raza Gilani appeared before the court, commuters were seriously inconvenienced as people were stuck in traffic jams for hours, especially government employees who found it difficult to reach their offices.

This time, however, ITP learnt a lesson and designated alternative routes in order to facilitate commuters, especially government officials. The officials were allowed to enter the Red Zone after showing their identity cards.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 28^th, 2012.