Come up with suitable alternate plans: SHC

Authorities told to work out ways to reduce inconvenience for citizens.

KARACHI: The government should come up with ways to ensure people do not face difficulties when public gatherings or rallies are held on major arteries in Karachi, said the Sindh High Court while hearing a petition seeking a ban on this kind of traffic.

Organising rallies at Shahrae Faisal, MA Jinnah Road and at Express Market among other locations has become a routine in Karachi. “Hundreds of citizens while commuting to their destinations remain stuck in traffic gridlocks for a long time,” the petitioner, Rana Faizul Hasan, submitted. Similar gatherings are also held at popular public places like Mazar-e-Quaid to mark various national days like December 25, March 23 and August 14. But people face immense hardship reaching the airport, railway stations or public hospitals, the plaintiff stated.

“This is in sheer violation of Articles 4 and 25 of the Constitution that ensure the right of a free life to citizens,” he argued.

The additional advocate general, Shafi Muhammad Memon, also gave his consent to pass an appropriate order. While disposing of the petition, the division bench, headed by Justice Maqbool Baqir, directed the respondents to make arrangements to ensure that such rallies cause minimum inconvenience to the citizens.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 3^rd, 2012.