Don’t bother people by blocking roads for VVIP movement, CJP tells IG Sindh

KARACHI: Taking exception to the closure of roads to pave the way for VIP or VVIP movement, the Supreme Court on Saturday asked the provincial police chief not to put people to any inconvenience by closing roads.

Headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar, a three-judge bench of the apex court, was hearing a suo motu case at Karachi registry pertaining to traffic blockades for VVIP movement.

At the outset, the chief justice asked IG Sindh A.D. Khowaja to explain as to what steps have been taken to protect the rights of citizens.

The general public has to face hardships owing to blockade of roads for VVIP movement, he remarked.

On this, the IGP said there were laws governing the movement of politicians, bureaucrats and other top government functionaries on roads.

To which, CJP Nisar said he too was a VVIP, but roads were not blocked for him.

He directed the IG to take necessary measures for such movements, but avoid any inconvenience to the general public.

Khowaja told the judges that traffic is blocked for hardly two minutes for the purpose.

The CJP further directed him to submit an affidavit that roads of the city will not be closed for any such movement in future.

While disposing of the case, he said, “we will protect the rights of citizens.”