Law and order: Opposition wants assembly session on Raiwind operation

Mehmoodur Rashid slams govt for ‘security lapse’.

LAHORE:

Leader of the Opposition in the provincial assembly Mian Mehmoodur Rashid on Thursday submitted an adjournment motion calling for a debate to review security arrangements following a shootout in Raiwind, Lahore.

Rashid slammed the government for having been unaware of a terrorist hideout near the prime minister’s residence.

He said the security lapse had put citizens’ lives at stake. He said the loss of an Elite Force official could have been avoided had the government worked earnestly to improve the security situation.

The opposition leader said Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif should explain why he had had no knowledge of terrorists living near his residence.

Rashid also demanded that the chief minister explain why the inspector general (IGP) was being on leave. He said the IGP’s absence had had an impact on the law and order situation. “He should be held responsible.”

The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf leader said the June 17 violence in Model Town had affected the police’s morale. He said the government must stop using police for political motives. “It should let police protect citizens.”

Rashid also submitted a call attention notice in the assembly regarding a killing by robbers in Baghbanpura.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 18^th, 2014.