One of our own: Military seeks security for Musharraf
Security official cites TTP threats to ex-president as the main reason.
former President, Pervez Musharraf, addresses his supporters after his arrival from Dubai at Jinnah International airport in Karachi March 24, 2013. PHOTO: REUTERS
ISLAMABAD:
The country’s top security establishment has demanded ‘foolproof’ security for the former military ruler General (retd) Pervez Musharraf, who landed in the country on Sunday.
A defence source told The Express Tribune that the General Headquarters (GHQ) - the military headquarters- wrote a letter to the defence ministry seeking security for its former chief.
The source said the defence ministry forwarded the request to the interior ministry, which would ensure proper security for the former president.
Musharraf, who ended his four-year self-imposed exile on Sunday, has been threatened by the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
In a Taliban video obtained by Reuters, Adnan Rasheed, who took part in a previous attempt to assassinate Musharraf, warned him of dire consequences upon his return.
However, it is not clear if the army sought enhanced security for Musharraf on its own or at the request of the former military chief. When contacted, a spokesperson for All Pakistan Muslim League (APML), Asia Ishaq said that Musharraf, as a retired army chief, was entitled to security from the military.
However, she claimed that the Pakistan Army took the initiative on its own and not at the request of Musharraf.
She expressed satisfaction over security measures put into place for Musharraf’s arrival in Karachi on Sunday. She confirmed that the army personnel, along with police and other law enforcement agencies, were providing security to Musharraf.
Talking about upcoming movements of the APML leader, she added, “We face a real challenge in Islamabad and Lahore and we are analysing at the moment the level of security we may require.”
Published in The Express Tribune, March 25th, 2013.
The country’s top security establishment has demanded ‘foolproof’ security for the former military ruler General (retd) Pervez Musharraf, who landed in the country on Sunday.
A defence source told The Express Tribune that the General Headquarters (GHQ) - the military headquarters- wrote a letter to the defence ministry seeking security for its former chief.
The source said the defence ministry forwarded the request to the interior ministry, which would ensure proper security for the former president.
Musharraf, who ended his four-year self-imposed exile on Sunday, has been threatened by the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
In a Taliban video obtained by Reuters, Adnan Rasheed, who took part in a previous attempt to assassinate Musharraf, warned him of dire consequences upon his return.
However, it is not clear if the army sought enhanced security for Musharraf on its own or at the request of the former military chief. When contacted, a spokesperson for All Pakistan Muslim League (APML), Asia Ishaq said that Musharraf, as a retired army chief, was entitled to security from the military.
However, she claimed that the Pakistan Army took the initiative on its own and not at the request of Musharraf.
She expressed satisfaction over security measures put into place for Musharraf’s arrival in Karachi on Sunday. She confirmed that the army personnel, along with police and other law enforcement agencies, were providing security to Musharraf.
Talking about upcoming movements of the APML leader, she added, “We face a real challenge in Islamabad and Lahore and we are analysing at the moment the level of security we may require.”
Published in The Express Tribune, March 25th, 2013.