Security beefed up amid threat to lawmakers

Davis release, Bhatti assassination viewed as trigger events for violent extremists.

ISLAMABAD:

The lives of close to two dozen lawmakers are in danger as certain elements are trying to target them over a recent row over the release of CIA contractor Raymond Davis and assassination of Minorities Affairs Minister Shahbaz Bhatti.

“It’s a very dangerous situation, yes, but we can take proper measures by revamping the security plan,” a senior official of law enforcement agency informed a high-level meeting chaired by Interior Minister Rehman Malik.

Although law enforcement officials did not disclose the names of lawmakers facing the risk, they were curious enough to point out that they (the lawmakers) were receiving threatening calls from some banned outfits, sources said.

In this context, Rehman Malik ordered ‘aerial surveillance’ of Islamabad for ensuring lawmakers’ security, who will have to attend the joint session of parliament next week.

Stringent security measures will be employed for President Asif Ali Zardari who will address the session on March 22. All heads of armed forces, governors, ministers, ambassadors, prominent political personalities and high-ranking officials will be in attendance, they added.

Secret agencies have information that certain terror elements will try to sabotage peace and security across the country particularly in major cities including federal capital in the coming days, one of the officials told the meeting.

“It is a common fear that terrorists can attack important places,” the representatives of law enforcement agencies told the minister.

The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, which claimed responsibility for Shahbaz Bhatti’s assassination, has already announced to launch attack on public representatives in reprisal for the release of Raymond Davis.

The minister directed the officials to enhance security of lawmakers, especially ministers, to avoid any untoward situation. Malik also ordered federal as well as provincial police officials to ensure effective security measures through checking entry and exit points of big cities.

“The police personnel equipped with metal detectors and automatic weapons would be deployed at the mosques at prayer times,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 18^th, 2011.