PTI leaders ask Punjab CM for security

TTP claims recent attacks on Mian Aslam’s residence

LAHORE: Leaders of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, including national organiser Shah Mehmood Qureshi and Punjab organiser Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar have sought security from the Punjab government in the wake of threats from the outlawed outfit Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan.

A letter sent by Sarwar to Punjab CM claims that the recent attacks on the dera of MPA Mian Aslam Iqbal have been owned up by the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan. Its spokesperson Mohammad Khurasani has claimed credit for the attacks through a media statement.

It also shared that the TTP spokesperson in a statement threatened to target the leadership of PTI.

The letter stated that PTI leadership including Qureshi, Sarwar, Mian Mehmoodur Rasheed, Aleem Khan and Mian Aslam Iqbal have also received threats from the TTP.

Read: PTI Councillor gets death threats

Punjab organiser Sarwar has expressed serious reservations over the threats adding that the timing of the threats was also troublesome. In the midst of the election campaigning for the upcoming NA-122 by-poll, he said receiving such threats was worrying.

Commenting on the development, Sarwar said it was very disturbing that a party’s leadership was being targeted and openly threatened in such a fashion.

The letter sent by Sarwar to the CM Punjab has demanded that providing security for all PTI leaders.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 11^th,  2015.