Police to review VIPs’ security following Ahsan Iqbal assassination attempt

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LAHORE: Following the attack on Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Punjab Police on Monday decided to review the security protocols of every VIP of the government.

According to police officials, Punjab inspector general (IG) has issued a notice to all regional police officers (RPOs) and district police officers (DPOs) regarding the security concerns of government officials. The notice also calls for a list of government officials who are being provided security by the Punjab police so that better measures can be taken in future.

The details of future security protocols will be finalised after the joint report of district and provincial intelligence committees is submitted.

Following the announcement of the decision regarding future security measures, a meeting of the district intelligence committees, Punjab police and other law enforcement agencies’ officials will also be called.

It is pertinent to note that on Sunday evening, the interior minister narrowly escaped an assassination attempt during a corner meeting in his constituency in Narowal.

Initial reports said he suffered a bullet wound in his right shoulder, but later it was reported that the bullet had ripped into his abdomen after grazing his arm.

According to the police, the culprit had been taken into custody from the spot, who confessed to firing gunshots at the minister over the Khatm-i-Nabuwat issue.

Punjab Inspector General of Police Capt (r) Arif Nawaz said the police had also been probing the involvement of any facilitators in the incident.

The police had told that Abid Hussain, 22, shot the minister from a distance of some 15 yards with a 30-bore weapon, moments after the minister had finished his speech and was leaving the meeting venue.