Treason trial: Like Musharraf, commuters not allowed to go anywhere

Roads closure for cavalcade causes massive traffic jams, some stuck for hours.

RAWALPINDI:

The garrison city witnessed horrible traffic jams after Airport Road was closed for traffic to make way for the cavalcade of former president Gen (retd) Pervaz Musharraf before his appearance in a special court to face treason charges.

Prior to his departure from the Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology (AFIC), the closure of the road from AFIC to Koral Chowk also sparked massive traffic snarls during the peak morning hours.

A heavy contingent of police, Rangers, traffic police and elite force had been deployed on sensitive roads from AFIC to Koral Chowk to provide security to the 20-vehicle convoy.

A special police convoy escorted the former president to the special court at the National Library. Musharraf reached the court at around 9:30pm, but strict checking of vehicles entering the red zone had already started around 8am.

Around 2,100 personnel of the Islamabad Police, traffic police, anti-terrorism, bomb disposal squads and Rangers had been deployed on different routes in the capital as part of the security arrangements. The bomb disposal squad completed a security sweep of the special court and surrounding areas earlier in the morning.

After Musharraf entered the library’s premises, police blocked the library’s entrance with a cargo container. Entry to the red zone was also restricted for the duration of the proceedings.

Due to road closures in Rawalpindi, most traffic was diverted to IJP Road, creating bottlenecks on 9th Avenue and Peshawar Mor.

Due to the traffic jams in Islamabad and around the red zone, most government employees reached their offices late.

In Rawalpindi, motorists and commuters stuck in the traffic were criticizing the government for putting one person over a million.

“If Musharraf is such an important personality and faces threats, the government should arrange a helicopter to fly him to court,” said Raheel Ahmad, a motorist, while arguing with a military police official for making him wait. “I have been waiting here for 45 minutes and am getting late for work,” he said.

Meanwhile, there was a mixed response from the masses regarding Musharraf’s trial. Some termed it unjust while others favoured his trial as a precedent against abrogating the constitution.

“He should not be tried alone. His abettors should also be included,” said Muhammad Muhtaram, who was waiting for permission to enter AFIC.

He said Musharraf was not solely responsible for abrogating the constitution and imposing emergency, but others abetted him too.

Muhammad Adil, a doctor, said the civilian government should concentrate on strengthening democratic institutions instead of wasting time on Musharraf’s trial.

“Let bygones be bygones. Trying him will not bear any fruit. Rather, it will weaken democratic institutions,” said Adil.

Asif Jan, a law graduate, said Musharraf abrogated the constitution and removed judges by imposing emergency and was now reaping what he sowed.

“Everyone knows he will be allowed to go abroad. Why are we  wasting money on a frivolous case,” said 38-year Muhammad Saleem of Westridge. He said that hanging a retired general was not as easy as some people think.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 1^st, 2014.