Bilawal security case: Federal govt directed to file comments for the third time
PPP chairperson has sought permission to travel in bulletproof vehicles, employ armed guards
Kaira says PPP chairman will not make a U-turn if bill on leaks not passed by Dec 27. PHOTO: PPI
KARACHI:
The Sindh High Court (SHC) directed the federal government on Thursday, for the third consecutive time, to file comments on Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) chairperson Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s petition seeking adequate security and permission to travel in bulletproof vehicles with private guards across the country.
A two-judge bench, headed by SHC Chief Justice Sajjad Ali Shah, gave a week’s time to the additional attorney-general to file these comments.
The direction came after the federal government attempted to distance itself from the matter, after the additional attorney-general, Salman Talibuddin, said the matter does not concern Islamabad.
Bilawal had pleaded the court to direct the federal and provincial governments, as well as law enforcement and other agencies to provide 24-hour special security cover to him. He had also sought direction for them to allow him to travel in vehicles with factory-manufactured tinted glass and have his personal security guards with licensed arms at his residence, during travel and while addressing public meetings.
Sindh government’s reply
Earlier, the provincial law officer presented a report on behalf of the Sindh government regarding the provision of security to Bilawal and his family members in the province.
In its report, the government had admitted that the petitioner had been receiving threats to his life and security agencies had issued reports that established that his life was at risk. It also admitted that, after the assassination of his mother, Benazir Bhutto, Bilawal and his family were under constant threat from ‘undemocratic’ forces in the country.
The PPP-led provincial government also agreed with the party chief’s apprehensions about his and his family’s safety because PPP leaders had been receiving threats to their lives and property from extremists and terrorist organisations.
Agreeing with the PPP chairperson’s request to use bulletproof vehicles and employ private guards with licensed weapons, the provincial government said it is ready to allow Bilawal to travel in such vehicles accompanied by armed guards.
The report said it also demands that the federal government make arrangements for such security for the petitioner and his family members. However, CJ Shah observed that if the petitioner is allowed to use bulletproof vehicles with factory-manufactured tinted glass and private guards with licensed weapons, then more people will come up with the same requests.
He further observed that former home minister Zulfiqar Mirza and former legislator Nabeel Gabol, who once enjoyed security protocols, were now requesting the court for provision of security.
Earlier, the SHC had allowed the petition of Bilawal’s father, former president and PPP co-chairperson Asif Ali Zardari, seeking permission to use bullet-proof vehicles and private guards with licensed weapons.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 25th, 2016.
The Sindh High Court (SHC) directed the federal government on Thursday, for the third consecutive time, to file comments on Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) chairperson Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s petition seeking adequate security and permission to travel in bulletproof vehicles with private guards across the country.
A two-judge bench, headed by SHC Chief Justice Sajjad Ali Shah, gave a week’s time to the additional attorney-general to file these comments.
The direction came after the federal government attempted to distance itself from the matter, after the additional attorney-general, Salman Talibuddin, said the matter does not concern Islamabad.
Bilawal had pleaded the court to direct the federal and provincial governments, as well as law enforcement and other agencies to provide 24-hour special security cover to him. He had also sought direction for them to allow him to travel in vehicles with factory-manufactured tinted glass and have his personal security guards with licensed arms at his residence, during travel and while addressing public meetings.
Sindh government’s reply
Earlier, the provincial law officer presented a report on behalf of the Sindh government regarding the provision of security to Bilawal and his family members in the province.
In its report, the government had admitted that the petitioner had been receiving threats to his life and security agencies had issued reports that established that his life was at risk. It also admitted that, after the assassination of his mother, Benazir Bhutto, Bilawal and his family were under constant threat from ‘undemocratic’ forces in the country.
The PPP-led provincial government also agreed with the party chief’s apprehensions about his and his family’s safety because PPP leaders had been receiving threats to their lives and property from extremists and terrorist organisations.
Agreeing with the PPP chairperson’s request to use bulletproof vehicles and employ private guards with licensed weapons, the provincial government said it is ready to allow Bilawal to travel in such vehicles accompanied by armed guards.
The report said it also demands that the federal government make arrangements for such security for the petitioner and his family members. However, CJ Shah observed that if the petitioner is allowed to use bulletproof vehicles with factory-manufactured tinted glass and private guards with licensed weapons, then more people will come up with the same requests.
He further observed that former home minister Zulfiqar Mirza and former legislator Nabeel Gabol, who once enjoyed security protocols, were now requesting the court for provision of security.
Earlier, the SHC had allowed the petition of Bilawal’s father, former president and PPP co-chairperson Asif Ali Zardari, seeking permission to use bullet-proof vehicles and private guards with licensed weapons.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 25th, 2016.