RAWALPINDI: Security officials had to divert the convoy of former chief justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry to Rawalpindi from Mandra as the Islamabad Expressway was closed on Thursday night for security reasons.

The former chief justice was on way to Islamabad from Jhelum but remained stuck in traffic near Mandra for half an hour.

The police diverted his convoy to Soan Road to reach his Islamabad residence via Golra, the police sources said.

Chaos still ruled the exit and entry points of the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad on Friday where hundreds of commuters had to wait for hours for security check.

The local administration has tightened the security after intelligence agencies reported that an explosive-laden vehicle would enter Islamabad.

Former CJ remains stuck in traffic at Mandra for half an hour

University buses were also stuck in traffic jams at Golra and Tarnol and the students were left with no choice but to leave the buses and take public transport after covering some distance on foot.

Traffic snarl was also witnessed at Faizabad, Koral and Gulzar-i-Quaid as the administration closed the roads leading towards the capital city by placing containers and barbed wires.

“The police were not asking any question from the commuters but allowing them to enter the city after searching their vehicles,” a police official at Soan checkpost told Dawn.

When contacted, the senior superintendent of traffic police, Khurram Shahzad Janbaz, said basically the PTI and PAT were responsible for the traffic jams.

“Police are searching the vehicles entering the city in the wake of intelligence reports that an explosive-laden vehicle will enter the city,” he said.

The security officials did block the roads but they did not place any signboards to indicate alternative routes to the relief of the commuters and ambulances.

The tales of police personnel performing long-hours duties at Mandra toll plaza was no different as they were looking tired and praying for the immediate dispersal of the protesters from Islamabad.

Published in Dawn, August 23rd , 2014