Muharram security curbs halt court proceedings in twin cities

ISLAMABAD: Court hearings in Rawalpindi and Islamabad were disrupted from Muharram 7 to Muharram 11 after undertrial prisoners held at Adiala Jail were not brought to court because of heightened security arrangements for Muharram events.

The suspension affected regular proceedings in district courts as well as special courts in both cities. In the absence of accused persons, routine hearings could not go ahead and were adjourned during the period.

The restrictions coincided with extensive security deployment for Muharram processions and religious gatherings. On Muharram 11, major Zuljinah processions were held at Choha Khalsa Darbar Shah Pyara in Rawalpindi and at Bari Imam in Islamabad.

A large police presence was deployed for those events, and authorities stopped the transfer of prisoners from Adiala Jail to the courts as part of the security plan, leading to the temporary suspension of normal court business.