By NNN-APP,
Karachi : A security net was placed in and around Sindh High Court (SHC) by Pakistan Rangers assisted by Sindh police as authorities attempted to prevent the proposed Long March by Pakistani lawyers.
The Long March is scheduled to begin from SHC under the aegis of SHC Bar Association at 9 a.m.
The two approach roads used for general public, litigants and lawyers from Masjid‑e‑Khizra, and Coast Guard were blocked since early morning on Thursday by placing iron barricades. The entry was allowed only after identification.
Pakistan Rangers Officials were seen in charge of the security and besides continuous patrol by Rangers, security was lead by an officer of the rank of Wing Commander.
Only a few lawyers could reach the SHC till court time.i.e 8:30 a.m.
Meanwhile entire city witnesses hightened security measures and police established pickets at city’s main thorough fares.
Senior officials in the rank of Superintendent Police (SP) were seen leading the police parties.
One such picket was established by New Karachi Town Police. Another picket was seen at main Lasbella bridge where SHO of the concerned Police Station manned it.
The passengers of public transport buses were also asked to alight and after checking allowed to board the bus again.
Heavy contingent of police along with policemen in civil dress have been deployed near Masoleum of Quaid‑e‑Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah as it would be the first stop over of the caravan of long marchers.
On Wednesday in the National Assembly, Advisor to Prime Minister on Interior Rahman Malik had called for a parliamentary committee to reach consensus between the government and lawyers as well as Pakistan Muslim League-N on the modalities of the Long March.
He asked for a short in-camera session to apprise the members of the ground realities about why the government is disallowing the long march in streets and he cannot disclose it publicly as some might take it threats or give any other color.
Describing the long march as democratic right, he said the government is concerned about any untoward incident, if any takes place, during the huge gathering as the federal capital has already faced three suicide attacks, claiming the lives of 20 policemen.
He said that delegations of traders and Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industries had approached him requesting not to allow the protest in streets as they had bitter experiences in the past.
He said PML-N decision to sit in the streets instead of the Parliament shows their mistrust in the democratic system.
Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Ms. Sherry Rehman on Wednesday said that the current political situation in the country is a result of the Opposition’s irresponsible call for rebellion and the democratically elected government cannot allow the rule of law to be replaced by the law of the jungle.
It is unfortunate that the government had to resort to the imposition of Section 144, and a limited preventive detention of some individuals, she said, adding that it is a temporary situation because no democratically elected government wants to take such measures.
The Federal Minister said that the present situation arose because former Prime Minister, Mian Nawaz Sharif chose to publicly incite rebellion and propagate a breakdown of the state of Pakistan’s constitutional machinery.
Had the PML-N and the right-wing rump of the former lawyers movement decided to hold a peaceful rally, the government would have facilitated it, as it had done in the past, said Ms. Rehman. But Pakistan’s constitutional and democratically elected government cannot allow the rule of law to be replaced by the law of the jungle.