Security of over 2,000 ‘influential individuals’ withdrawn on CJP directives in Punjab

Interestingly, Maryam Nawaz has criticised the top judge of using a ‘king size’ security protocol

Over 5,000 policemen have been called back to barracks in Punjab two days after Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar directed police chiefs of all provinces to withdraw security protocol provided to ‘influential individuals’ not entitled to official security.

At least 2,000 people, including politicians, judges, lawyers and other government officials, were enjoying official security provided by the provincial government, Express News reported.

Over 1,400 personnel deployed on security of 313 politicians, 1,100 for 527 police officials, and 650 policemen on duty for protecting 480 officials of subordinate judiciary were called back to barracks.



A report of Punjab government further revealed that 41 personnel for 39 lawyers, 300 for 275 religious leaders and 1,050 personnel in the name of protocol of 250 ‘influential citizens’ were also called back by the authorities.

Justice Nisar had issued this directive to the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Inspector General Police (IG) Salahuddin Mehsud as well as IGs of all other provinces through a notice during the hearing of a case pertaining to the security provided to individuals in K-P on Thursday.

The chief justice also said he respects the sacrifices of the K-P police during the war on terror, but influential individuals should arrange for their security privately.



Interestingly, deposed prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s daughter Maryam Nawaz has criticised the top judge of using a ‘king size’ security protocol by retweeting a video of the CJP’s protocol while on his way to a hospital in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s Charsadda.

“The protocol for the CJP includes 35 vehicles. If this isn’t how a kingdom works, then what is?” said the tweet on Maryam’s profile.