Murad Saeed apprises President Alvi of ‘life threats’

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Murad Saeed on Monday sent a letter to President Dr Arif Alvi, wherein he apprised him of receiving “life threats” by “suspicious persons”.

In the letter, Saeed highlighted details of stalking and threats by suspicious persons.

“I believe that life and death are in the hands of Allah. I have complete faith and trust in Allah. I am not afraid of death and will continue to speak the truth,” Saeed added.

He requested the president to take notice of the matter and necessary action.

He pointed out that on July 12, slain journalist Arshad Sharif also wrote to him, and no one took notice nor were his concerns taken seriously.

“As a result, Pakistan lost a loyal and patriotic citizen and a most capable investigative journalist,” he remarked.

Read more: Murad Saeed doesn't expect fair probe into Sharif killing from FIA

Saeed said that ever since the end of the PTI government at the Centre, “false cases” had been registered against him.

In July, unrest began to rise in Malakand, so he pointed out its causes in time and criticised the failures of the law enforcement agencies, besides raising questions, he said.

“After that, the series of threats to my family started,” he added. “I was asked to move the family several times, but due to faith in Allah and love for our soil, I did not do so until today and gave a clear message that we live and die on this soil. Since August, till now, I was not only informed by the local police but also told to cancel my visit to Dir and Bajaur several times.”

The former federal minister said that even when he was conducting an awareness campaign for peace in Malakand, suspicious persons changed their clothes and followed him, but Allah protected him.

“On the night of August 18, at 2 o'clock, armed men in plain clothes came to my house in my absence,” he said. “Till date, I have not been able to know which law enforcement agency they belonged to or if they were criminals. I called my friends for help, [and] when they came, the armed men escaped.

He said, “These armed men fled towards the red zone where there is a police check post. They were allowed to pass.”

Saeed said that he applied for the registration of a case but to no avail.

“The police not only refused to issue the diary number but also to return the application,” he said, highlighting that the police simply said that “there are orders from above and nothing can be done”.

He mentioned that he also requested access to Red Zone cameras’ recording, which was not granted.