Aftermath of attack: SHC sends notices to Rangers in Mirza’s security plea

Former home minister's car was attacked during his LG elections campaign

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) issued on Friday notices to the director-general of Sindh Rangers and others on a petition seeking security for the estranged Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Dr Zulfiqar Mirza, following threats to his life during the local government elections.

A division bench, headed by Justice Naimatullah Phulpoto, directed the deputy attorney general and the advocate general to file the comments of the authorities by November 16.

Mirza, whose earlier petition for security had led the court to initiate contempt proceedings against the Sindh IG Ghulam Haider Jamali and his subordinates, once again moved the court on Friday.

The petitioner informed the judges that a bungled attempt was recently made on his life in district Badin due to his participation in the upcoming local government elections. He feared that there are grave threats to his life.

The court was pleaded to order the Rangers DG to provide to the former home minister and his family members security.

Mirza had earlier also moved for protection, alleging that the Sindh government had withdrawn official security provided to him at the behest of PPP chief Asif Ali Zardari. The high court had initiated contempt proceedings against IG Jamali, the in-charge of the Special Security Unit, after his commandoes besieged the SHC building and subjected Mirza's supporters and media personnel to severe torture during hours-long coverage.

The judges had reserved their verdict in contempt of court proceedings against the IG, which will be announced later.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 14^th, 2015.