ISLAMABAD: The federal capital remained tense since morning on Monday as the accountability court was set to announce judgements in two references filed against former prime minister Nawaz Sharif.

The law enforcement agencies had started patrolling different parts of the city from early morning. Comparatively less traffic was observed on all major roads across the city despite it being the first working day of the week.

“Thank God winter vacations have started in educational institutions; otherwise it would have become very difficult for parents. There are always chances of agitation on such occasions,” said Mohammad Anis, a resident of the capital.

Early in the morning, political workers, lawyers and other people started gathering outside the accountability court.

Clash between police, PML-N supporters who tried to enter the court

A large number of police, Frontier Constabulary and Rangers personnel were also deployed there making the court building a no-go area.

Time to time political workers exchanged heated arguments with officials of the law enforcement agencies as they were not allowed to enter the premises.

Senior lawyer Khawar Ikram Bhatti told Dawn that he had never seen such humiliation of political workers, lawyers and media persons.

“The attitude of the law enforcement agencies and the district administration has ended the concept of an open court,” he said.

It was informed that initially just a few political leaders, lawyers and 10 mediapersons would be allowed to enter the premises of the court. As a result, a large number of people had to stay around the court building. Even former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi had to stay outside as he was not allowed to enter the building.

However, he was let in after five hours. Some PML-N leaders including Asif Kirmani and Marriyum Aurangzeb were allowed to enter the court.

Once inside, Ms Aurangzeb said she would not go out as she might not be allowed entry again.

When former information minister and PML-N leader Pervaiz Rashid reached the accountability court, everyone present there could see that Mr Rashid was not only worried but also had tearful eyes.

Senator Mushahidullah Khan also reached the court and was told by security officials that his name was not on the list.

He was told that the list mentioned the name of Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed.

“Consider me Syed and allow me to enter the court,” Mr Khan pleaded but was not allowed due to which he went back after waiting for a long time.

Police had locked the main gate of the court building due to which political workers could be seen pushing each other to reach the gate. Time and again they would chant slogans against the government and in support of Nawaz Sharif.

Mediapersons were also not allowed to enter, and one could see some of them trying to forcibly enter the building.

In the commotion, a walk-through gate fell on Afzal Javed, a journalist. Later, the mediapersons were also allowed to enter the premises. Political workers remained there till the evening and left after Nawaz Sharif was sent to Adiala jail.

PML-N workers and supporters tried to break through the barriers put in front of the accountability court.

The police said over 800 people gathered at the south side of the courts, near the G-11 signal on the service road, before the arrival of the former premier.

The party workers and supporters were trying to break the barriers and push back the police contingent deployed there.

The motorcade of the former premier arrived on the Service Road in the afternoon. Some of the party supporters lay on the road in front of the cars and a few hung on to them.

The police tried to remove them but the workers refused. The police had to use force to clear the road so the motorcade could move towards the court.

Workers and supporters started pelting stones at the police, who retaliated by firing tear gas shells and resorting to baton charge.

Three policemen were injured during the clash, with one having his finger fractured and the other two getting head injuries.

The police managed to restore the law and order situation after half an hour and dispersed the charged workers and supporters.

The former prime minister remained inside the court till after sunset but no such other incident was recorded.

A police officer said one man was detained in connection with the clash and that a case will be registered against him if directions are issued by senior officers.

A case will also be filed against unidentified persons if permission is granted.

The police had made deployments at the entry points to the capital including at Faizabad and along important installations.

Well equipped contingents were put on standby at the four corners of the city.

In the courts, the inner cordon was secured by a contingent of 123 officials while 118 policemen secured the outer cordon. Five superintendent of police, seven assistant and deputy superintendents of police, 12 inspectors, 79 sub-inspectors and assistant sub-inspectors, 1,127 head constables and constables were also deployed around the courts.

Police teams were deployed on the rooftops of the buildings adjacent to the courts and stop lines were set up on roads leading towards and around the courts.

Published in Dawn, December 25th, 2018