The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Thursday ordered the interior ministry to frame laws and policies for providing security to political parties’ heads.
The Court was hearing the case regarding provision of security to the PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. The PPP chairman’s lawyer Akhtar Hussain contended that Bilawal has security fears, adding that terrorists also had targeted Bilawal’s mother, former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto.
The Chief Justice remarked that Bilwal’s party was ruling the province and he was asking security from the Chief Minister who was nominated by him.
The Chief Justice of SHC said lawyers were facing more threats as they are the easy target. He said the law does not give extraordinary treatment to an individual and they direct the government to provide security according to law.
The counsel argued that the PPP’s chairman needed security when he visits other provinces, adding that ‘the PPP government would not oppose its own chairman’s request.
Additional Attorney General said that the troops deployed on the borders also face danger to their lives and questioned whether security should be provided at their homes.
The court adjourned the hearing till 14th December by asking the federation to submit a reply.
Chandio speaks of threats to Bilawal:
Maula Bux Chandio, Advisor to the Chief Minister on Information, said on Thursday that the leadership of the PPP faced considerable security risks. The government, however, was unwilling to provide the requisite amount of security.
Speaking at a ceremony in Karachi, he said that the PPP was the worst affected political party of Pakistan, given how the party had already lost its leader Benazir Bhutto in a terrorism incident.
Chandio said that Bilawal Bhutto Zardari was not only PPP’s chairman but a ray of hope for the country. “If something terrible happens then the government would also be held equally responsible”, he added.
He further said that despite several requests, the government was not providing adequate security to the party leadership.
