The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Wednesday directed the Sindh government to disclose the details of police escort provided to ex-ministers including Faryal Talpur, sister of Pakistan Peoples Party’s co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari, and their entitlement to security as per law.
Justice Sajjad Ali Shah, who headed a division bench, further instructed the provincial authorities to place on record the number of police mobiles employed for their security.
The bench ruled that in case none of ex-minister was entitled to security then all of them should be treated equably through uniform policy. It issued the direction on the petition filed by former provincial home minister and rebel politician Dr Zulifqar Mirza who approached the court against withdrawal of police constables posted for his and his wife, former speaker Fehmida Mirz’s, security.
The bench asked the petitioner to employ private guards for his safety and security in accordance with law.
On Tuesday, Mirza accompanied by his counsel Ashraf Samo appeared before the bench, submitting that the provincial government had withdrawn police constables posted for his security. He expressed fears that he would be killed if he was not provided security as Asif Ali Zardari and Altaf Hussain were his biggest enemies. He told the judges that his life was in serious danger because of his enmity with Zardari and Altaf Hussain.
Mirza said that Ms Talpur was given a police escort comprising 250 police personnel whereas former home minister Waseem Akhtar and other MQM leaders were also given security. Therefore, he pleaded the court to order the authorities to provide him and his family adequate security.
However, the advocate general submitted that it was responsibility of the state to protect its citizens but there was no provision to provide security to former ministers or speaker.
