ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court and Islamabad High Court (IHC) will remain open on Wednesday, even though a public holiday was announced due to the Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO) Summit.

Cases before benches of the SC and the IHC will be heard one by one, although litigants may face difficulties entering the Red Zone where the SC is located.

“Unless issued by the interior ministry, any notification by the local administration does not affect the working of the SC or the high court,” explained SC public relations officer Shahid Hussain Kamboyo.

Security has also been heightened around the Red Zone on the occasion of the second death anniversary of Mumtaz Qadri which falls on March 1. Kashmir Highway has also been blocked.

However, the Lahore High Court (LHC) Rawalpindi bench will be closed on Wednesday along with government offices, educational institutions and district courts in Rawalpindi. Banks, shopping centres and markets will remain open.

The LHC issued a notification on the closure of the courts for security reason, but the State Bank did not announce a bank holiday in the twin cities.

The City Traders Association president, Sharjeel Mir, told Dawn markets in and around Raja Bazaar will be open, and the Cantonment Traders Association president Zafar Qadri said shops in Saddar and other cantonment areas will be open.

Mr Qadri said banks and other outlets will open as usual.

Published in Dawn, March 1st, 2017