Bilawal’s security case: SHC grants federal government more time to file comments

Provincial govt also given time to submit policy for security provision to VVIPs

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) granted on Wednesday more time to the federal government to file comments on Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) chairperson Bilawal Bhutto Zardari's petition, seeking adequate security and permission to travel across the country in bulletproof vehicles with private guards.

A two-judge bench, headed by SHC Chief Justice Sajjad Ali Shah, also granted time to the provincial advocate-general to submit the policy regarding the provision of security to VVIPs.

Previously, the additional attorney-general, Salman Talibuddin, had stated that Bilawal's security case does not concern Islamabad. However, the judges had directed Talibuddin to file comments of the federal government.

Meanwhile, they had also asked advocate-general Barrister Zamir Ghumro to submit the Sindh government's policy for the provision of security to VVIPs.

On Wednesday, federal and provincial law officers requested for more time to submit their comments and the policy, respectively.

Bilawal had pleaded the court to direct the federal and provincial governments and 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 to 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 [Bilawal] 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 also demanded that the federal government make arrangements for such security for Bilawal and his family members. However, CJ Shah observed that if Bilawal 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 request.

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 bulletproof vehicles and private guards with licensed weapons.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 15^th, 2016.