ISLAMABAD: The twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi will be on high alert in anticipation of the Supreme Court verdict in the Panama Papers case scheduled to be announced on Friday.

The Red Zone has been put on red alert and the rest of the capital and Rawalpindi will be on high alert. The Red Zone has also been partially sealed and only concerned people will be allowed in after undergoing identification and security checks.

It was also decided that Rangers and Frontier Constabulary will assist the police in making arrangements and their personnel will be deployed at the Supreme Court, important installations, the Red Zone and point of entry, the police said.

A large number of riot gear has been brought in and will be distributed among the units and teams of police to use when and if needed.

In Rawalpindi, extra police will be deployed in various parts of the city to deal with political rallies expected to be carried out.

City Police Officer Israr Ahmad Abbasi called a late night meeting of senior police officers to discuss a security plan for Friday, as rallies have been scheduled by the opposition and ruling party workers.

Random vehicle checks will also be carried out as part of the tightened security, and police have been directed to act quickly against anyone attempting to create a law and order situation.

Published in Dawn, July 28th, 2017