‘Ex-ministers not entitled to official security: legal AIG report

Security provided to some former ministers on threat assessment, recommendations of special branch and other agencies

KARACHI:

The Sindh High Court (SHC) was informed on Monday that there is no legal standing for the provision of official security protocol to former ministers, but some of them belonging to the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) have been provided police protection due to threats to their lives.

This was stated in a report submitted by the advocate general, Abdul Fateh Malik, regarding the withdrawal of security from former home minister, Dr Zulfiqar Mirza, and the provision of the same to other former ministers.

The estranged PPP leader had taken the provincial authorities to court for taking back security protocol from him, his wife Dr Fehmida Mirza and son allegedly at the behest of PPP co-chairperson Asif Ali Zardari.

On the court's notice, Legal AIG Dr Mazhar Ali Shah prepared the report, which stated that Mirza was provided full protection and security and was not prevented, harassed or obstructed in any way. Consequently, he approached the SHC and obtained bail from the trial court on May 9.

The report quoted the Badin SSP, who said that four police constables were posted with the petitioner for his security while four others were deputed with his wife, former National Assembly speaker Dr Fehmida Mirza. Another five constables were deputed at their residence in Karachi by the Security Zone-II SSP, he said. The Badin SSP had reported on May 8 that the police personnel deputed with the petitioner and his wife were sent back by him.

Right to security?

In response to the court's query regarding the entitlement of former ministers such as Muttahida Qaumi Movement's (MQM) Waseem Akhtar, Rauf Siddiqui and businessman Anwar Majeed, the legal AIG said that "former ministers have no entitlement as per the law or the provincial assembly of Sindh Privileges Act, 1975, amended up to March 15, 2013."

He admitted, however, that security was provided to some former ministers on threat assessment and recommendations of the special branch and other agencies.

He maintained that the special branch had reported that some Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) elements had planned to target MNA Faryal Talpur, the president of the PPP Women's Wing. Therefore, appropriate security was provided for her safety.

Regarding police security given to businessman Majeed, the report said he was also under threat of being kidnapped for ransom as reported by the special branch.

AIG Shah said that the Badin SSP had already been directed for the re-deployment of security personnel for Mirza and his family. He alleged, however, that Mirza was accompanied by hundreds of persons, equipped with prohibited weapons, a majority of whom were involved in criminal cases. Women were also seen with prohibited weapons, which had created sense of fear and terror, he added.

The report also brought to the court's notice that hundreds of arms licences were issued in the name of the petitioner, his wife and son. This proved the contention that Mirza had organised a private army, which was against the Constitution, claimed the report.

The AIG argued that the petition was not maintainable and asked for it to be dismissed. The bench, headed by Justice Sajjad Ali Shah, directed the petitioner's lawyer, Ashraf Samon, to file a reply to the AG's report. Samon was also asked to file a rejoinder to the application of Faryal Talpur, regarding alleged allegations of Mirza against her. The hearing was adjourned till May 20.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 12^th, 2015.