ISLAMABAD: Police, Rangers and Frontier Constabulary personnel will be deployed in and around the Red Zone for security and to maintain the peace on Thursday, when the Supreme Court is to announce its judgement in the Panama Papers case.

Senior police officials met at the Central Police Office to review the arrangements, and it was decided that the Red Zone would be put on ‘red alert’ on Thursday, officials told Dawn.

Separate rings of security made up of police, FC and Rangers personnel will surround the SC building, they said, and only individuals with passes issued by the court will be allowed into the premises.

Around 1,500 police and paramilitary personnel will also be deployed in and around the Red Zone itself, they said, and strict checking will be conducted at points of entry into the zone. Only the concerned individuals – including government officials and those who reside in the area – will be allowed entry.

Officials deployed at Red Zone entry points have been ordered to check and verify people and ask for their destination and reason for seeking entry before allowing them into the Red Zone, officials said. Police officials, including Special Branch officials, will also be deployed in and around the area for intelligence gathering and timely responses.

Published in Dawn, April 20th, 2017