Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Sharmila Faruqi received widespread public criticism after it was reported that large contingents of police personnel in the city were deployed at her engagement celebrations.
Media reports and the general public questioned as to why the security forces had failed to reach the Abbas Town area even after a lapse of two hours after the blast had occurred on the same night. Sharmila’s engagement ceremony was being held at the Mohatta Palace, which was across the town from the location where the gruesome incident occurred.
Amid the ruckus, Sharmila dismissed the accusations that security personnel were busy giving security duties at the ceremony and were therefore uavailable to provide support in Abbas Town, reported a private television channel.
Sharmila tweeted: “Abbas Town is in District Central and Mohatta in District South of Khi. They have separate Dig’s to Ssp’s to sho’s.”
Responding to queries about the heavy contingents of police personnel deployed at her function, Sharmila tweeted: “Oh 32000 police personnel were protecting 400 guests? Find a better excuse to bash me!”
“Ok! So the blast was my fault and the unfortunate casualties were because Clifton Police was around Mohatta…If it soothes the haters keep abusing.”
She also clarified that the event only included a formal dinner, and not the engagement ceremony as was otherwise publicised.
“And one final clarification. My engagement was on 24th Feb at my house. Yesterday was a dinner. Simple.”
Earlier, police and paramilitary Rangers were nowhere to be seen hours after the blast occurred in Abbas Town. None of the senior officials of local administration and police visited the site at the time.