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How much is Pakistan govt spending on Imran Khan’s security?

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  • Islamabad IG Dr Akbar Nasir admits there are reports of threats to Imran Khan’s life.
  • Says 266 security personnel had been deputed for security of PTI chairman.
  • Stresses Imran Khan’s security issue should not be made political issue.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Islamabad Dr Akbar Nasir Wednesday admitted that there were reports of threats to ex-prime minister Imran Khan’s life and informed the Senate Committee on Interior that 266 security personnel had been deputed for security of the PTI chairman, which costs the government Rs20 million per month.

The IGP told the committee that the Frontier Constabulary, Rangers, Islamabad Police, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa police and Gilgit-Baltistan police, personnel from two private security companies were also performing security responsibilities of the former premier. He said all security personnel were working under the Islamabad police command.

He also informed the committee that the other former prime ministers, Ch Shujaat Hussain, Yusuf Raza Gilani, Raja Pervaiz Ashraf and Shahid Khaqan Abbasi had been provided security protection of five security men, each.

IGP Akbar Nasir provided these details in the form of a report sought by Committee Chairman Moshin Aziz, who took a suo moto notice on reports of withdrawal of security from ex-PM Imran Khan.

The meeting was chaired by Moshin Aziz, and attended by Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar, Minister of State for Law and Justice Shahadat Awan, and senators including Maula Bakhsh Chandio, Rana Maqbool Ahmed, Sarfaraz Ahmed Bugti, Faisal Javed, Dr Waseem Shahzad, Azam Swati, Ejaz Chaudhry, Saifullah Abro, Fauzia Arshad, Kamil Ali Agha and Dilawar Khan, besides the interior ministry officials.

The IGP told the committee that when it came to bringing the police from Punjab, “we forbade them because they were not coming as per the prescribed procedure and could become a threat to each other”.

The IGP said the issue of security of former prime ministers was important, their security issue should not be made political issue and considering the sensitivity of the matter, it should not be discussed in the media.

He told the committee that there was a procedure to provide security and agencies were also involved in the process, and all procedures were being adopted in accordance with the law and security was being provided to former PM according to the same procedure.

Senator Rana Maqbool Ahmed suggested that whenever the PTI had any concerns regarding the security of Imran Khan, they should directly consult the IG Police Islamabad. Chief Commissioner Islamabad Captain (retd) Muhammad Usman told the meeting that the private security company did not comply with the rules and regulations of the Ministry of Interior and its licence had also expired. “According to the rules, every person assigned security duties must have a security clearance,” he told the committee.

The committee was told that the licences of two private security companies had been cancelled due to a minor mistake, but they were still performing their duties.

The chief commissioner said that the authority to cancel the licence rested with the Ministry of Interior. Chairman Senate’s Committee on Interior Mohsin Aziz said that Imran Khan was a world leader. He had spoken on the issue of Islamophobia all over the world, and everyone had appreciated his efforts.

He said that when Imran Khan talks about Islam, the whole Islamic world considers him as their leader. He said Imran Khan says “absolutely not” to the United States and spoke of supporting peace and avoiding wars.

The committee chairman said that the security agencies and the police themselves had said that Imran Khan’s life was in danger; so it was illegal and inappropriate to withdraw security from him in such a situation.

He questioned why the private security guards, who were performing duties with Imran Khan, were removed and the security licence of the private security agency was revoked illegally. He said that Gilgit-Baltistan security officials, who were Imran Khan’s security, were withdrawn.

Senator Moshin Aziz had invited four PTI senators on a special invitation who were not member of the committee. Senator Maula Bakhsh Chandio, Senator Azam Tarar, Senator Shahadat Awan and Senator Rana Maqbool Ahmed of the ruling coalition raised objections that it was not a meeting of the PTI for which so many people had been invited.

During the meeting, harsh words were exchanged between senators from the treasury and the opposition sides, but both sides also apologised to each other later on.

Minister of State for Law and Justice Senator Shahadat Awan said that full security was being provided to former PM as per the requirement. Instead of calling a meeting, the committee chairman could have directly asked the IGP about the issue. “An hour-long meeting costs Rs15 lakh from the national exchequer,” he added.

Chairman Committee Moshin Aziz said that two days ago, a letter was written to the interior secretary for participation in the meeting. But he excused himself from participation, and even did not send any joint or deputy secretary. Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah was also invited eight times, but he did not come attend meeting even for single time.

Senator Ejaz Chaudhry said that it was inappropriate to withdraw the security of Imran Khan, as there were threats to his life. “There can be no more injustice than this, protocol is being given to Maryam Nawaz Sharif, but security is not being given to the former prime minister,” he added.

Senator Kamil Ali Agha said that the issue of Imran Khan’s security was sensitive and should be taken seriously as Shaheed Benazir Bhutto also had security threat and the names were also revealed. “This issue should be seen above the party affiliation,” he said.

Kamil Ali Agha said that 2,200 personnel were assigned the security of former PM Nawaz Sharif, whose annual expenditure was Rs4.5 billion.

He said that today the interior minister should have come to the committee meeting because there were allegations that Imran Khan’s private security had also been removed. “If the officials of the Ministry of Interior did not come to the committee meeting, it would give the impression that they want to kill Imran Khan,” he added.

Senator Azam Swati said that it was also said in the high court that Imran Khan’s life was in danger. “Under these circumstances, we all have to do our duty and the voice of this committee should be paid heed and Imran Khan’s security should be provided according to his personality.

“The enemies are too many and the threats to Imran Khan should be kept in mind,” he advised. Senator Maula Bakhsh Chandio said that “we are not enemies of Imran Khan’s security, and are not among those who distributed sweets on the martyrdom of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto and Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.”

Leader of the house in the Senate Azam Nazir Tarar said that there were concerns for the flood victims, but Imran Khan’s rallies were being held and abuses were being hurled. “This forum is not for discussing such matters,” he said.

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Containers were used to seal the Red Zone before JI’s sit-in at D-Chowk.

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Authorities in Islamabad have blocked off the Red Zone by erecting containers in front of today’s (Friday) Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) demonstration and the Jamaat-i-Islami sit-in at D-Chowk in Islamabad.

Jamaat-i-Islami is scheduled to stage a sit-in at Islamabad’s D-Chowk, and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has declared a nationwide protest against the country’s soaring inflation and recent spike in electricity rates.

Containers have been used to block access to the Red Zone’s main crossroads, D Chowk, Nadra Chowk, and Sarina Chowk.

ISLAMABAD, PUNJAB SECTION 144

In the meantime, in response to PTI and JI plans for statewide rallies, the federal and Punjabi governments enforced Section 144 in Islamabad and Punjab. Section 144 will be in force from Friday, July 26 to Sunday, July 28, per the notification that was released in this regard.

Rallies, sit-ins, protests, and rallies are prohibited from July 26 to July 28, according to a letter from the Home Department. It said that terrorists may find public gatherings to be an easy target and stated that the decision had been made with the threat of terrorism in mind.

In contrast, JI Secretary General Ameerul Azeem claimed in a statement that police had raided the residences of JI officials across the nation.

In an attempt to break up the protest, he said, police had targeted JI leaders and activists. He also alleged that multiple instances of police raids, arrests, and harassment of women had occurred in various towns.

GOVT ADVISED

The government was forewarned by Jamaat Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman earlier on Thursday that it would face consequences if the party was barred from accessing Islamabad for their scheduled demonstration against inflation and an increase in electricity prices.

He stated in a statement that their belief is in peaceful political protest as a means of securing public rights. “We are not afraid of arrests, and the Jamaat-e-Islami cannot be stopped,” he added.

“The historic sit-in on Friday, July 26, will represent 250 million people of Pakistan, and we will sit peacefully at D-Chowk.”

According to the JI, convoys are in route from all around the nation to participate in the sit-in. He encouraged the administration to offer a location for the protest, highlighting that it is their constitutional and democratic right to speak up for the country.

“Any political party that wishes to participate” was invited, and he welcomed them all.

Prior to the sit-in, police raided the residences of JI leaders and officials in many parts of Punjab and Rawalpindi, making multiple arrests.

Ameerul Azim, the central secretary general of Jamaat-e-Islami, was not able to be arrested during the police raid; instead, Shaukat Mahmood, his driver, was taken into custody.

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The Socioeconomic Registry of Punjab. Real data gathering is essential to effective governance. Maryam

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Maryam Nawaz Sharif, the chief minister of Punjab, announced that the province will introduce the “Apna Ghar Scheme,” adding that accurate data collecting is necessary in order to provide social security to the impoverished.

At the Punjab Socio-Economic Registry’s opening event in Lahore, the Maryam announced that the province’s government has started the “Roshan Gharana” project, which aims to provide 4.5 million individuals with solar panels on manageable installment plans.

Maryam Nawaz, who emphasized the necessity of centralized data, stated that data has become increasingly important in recent years since it makes basic amenities more accessible and aids in the classification of the poor.

She stated that several initiatives are being taken by the Punjabi government to assist those with disabilities.

The Punjab government, led by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, is dedicated to providing relief to the poor, according to Senior Provincial Minister Punjab Marriyum Aurangzeb, who spoke on the occasion.

The government, she noted, is concentrating on health and education services.

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The ECP asks the SC to clarify the ruling in the PTI reserved seat case.

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Seeking clarity on a court ruling concerning the allotment of particular seats to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) moved the Supreme Court on Monday.

ECP members reportedly agreed unanimously on the SC’s decision to consult the SC.

Particularly cited under Paragraph 10 of the Supreme Court ruling, the ECP has called attention to vagueness in the ruling. In order to determine which body is in charge of party certificate issuance, the ECP is asking the Supreme Court for advice.

Concerning the validity of PTI’s party structure, the ECP pointed out that the organisation hasn’t held internal elections.

In the lack of distinct party organisation and intra-party elections, there is ambiguity over which certifications hold recognition.

Position of ECP

The absence of intra-party elections, according to ECP sources, prevents Tehreek-e-Insaaf from operating as a legitimate organisation.

A plea for clarification on party certificate authority and recognition has been made to the Supreme Court by the ECP.

Resolving the existing ambiguity and guaranteeing proper electoral processes will depend on the Supreme Court’s clarity on these issues.

Continue reading: ECP orders implementation of SC ruling regarding PTI reserved seats

Previous to this, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) reserved seat verdict will be implemented, according to a Friday announcement made by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) of Pakistan.

On Friday, a meeting of ECP members was chaired by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja.

If the SC ruling is being carried out with any judicial decision becoming a roadblock, ECP has resolved to seek guidance from the judges in the room.

“The Supreme Court will be consulted for additional guidance in the event of any obstacles,” the ECP statement stated.

ECP declines resignation demand and political party criticism.

The chief election commissioner and members have been the target of persistent attack from a political party, which the highest electoral authority has sharply denounced. No political name was mentioned by the ECP.

The ECP called the demand for resignation from the party “absurd” and rejected the political party’s unjustified criticism, which had been made continuously.

Regardless of the pressure, the statement said, ECP would keep up its adherence to the law and the Constitution.

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