Feeling the tremors: Close call for top court judges and lawyers

Marble tiles fall off as SC building sways violently from effects of quake

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court building swayed violently with the impact of the high-intensity earthquake on Monday, forcing judges, staff members and others to leave the premises.

A few marble tiles of the court building fell off and some cracks appeared on the glass gate of the entrance.

The earthquake struck at the precise moment when judges were hearing PML-N MNA Muhammad Siddique Khan Baloch’s case related to his disqualification from NA-154.

Shahzad Shaukat, counsel for Siddique, was presenting his arguments before the three-judge bench of the top court, headed by Justice Mian Saqib Nisar.

By that time, the judges were sitting motionless while reciting verses from the Holy Quran. But when the tremor’s effects lasted a little longer than usual, the judges, lawyers, litigants and others rushed towards the courtroom exit.

Panic gripped the surrounding area and people were running towards the lawn of the Supreme Court. They witnessed the SC building which was visibly shaking.

Though when the situation normalised and the bench once again resumed the hearing, the counsel for the applicant requested for adjournment as he was unable to argue the case in view of the prevailing situation. The bench accepted his plea and adjourned the hearing until Tuesday (today).

Moreover, an 87-member delegation of PN Staff Course, Pakistan Navy War College, Lahore comprising faculty members and course participants hailing from different countries of the world were also present in the apex court premises at the time.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 27^th, 2015.