SHC asks which law binds govt to provide Bilawal with security

The Sindh High Court has sought assistance from the counsel for Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari in understanding which policy or law binds the provincial and federal governments to provide security to the head of a political party or others who face threats to their lives.

Hearing a petition of the PPP chief, who has sought adequate security from the police and the Rangers, as well as permission to travel in a factory-manufactured vehicle with tinted glasses and armed guards, a division bench, headed by Chief Justice Sajjad Ali Shah, wondered how the PPP chairman was demanding security from the government of his own party.

It observed that prima facie government exercised its discretion for providing security to the citizens. It pointed out that previously former PPP leaders Nabeel Gabol and Zulfiqar Mirza had been given adequate security by the government, but now they were seeking security after leaving the party.  

The court inquired the petitioner’s counsel, Akhtar Hussain, how it could issue an order for providing special security to individuals exclusively although the protection of life was a right of every citizen.

The federal law officer sought time to file comments. He said personnel of the armed forces were sacrificing their lives at borders, whereas special security was being sought by some individuals.

Additional Advocate General Mustafa Mahesar said the government would provide security to the PPP chief and leave no stone unturned in protecting him.

Adjourning the matter till December 14, the court directed the federal law officer to file comments on the petition.

They young PPP chairman has said in his petition that since the assassination of his mother and former prime minister Benazir Bhutto in December 2007, he and his family have been facing threats from undemocratic forces in the country. He says he has always been apprehensive because PPP leaders are receiving threats from extremist and terrorist organisations.

The petition says there are reports of security agencies which establish that Bilawal’s life is at great risk.

Referring to the reports, the counsel has said security agencies have emphasised the need for making all security arrangements, including 24-hour special security cover, whenever Bilawal visits any of the provinces.

The provincial government has already submitted before the court that it has no objection to providing security to the petitioner and it will provide security to him in future as he is the head of a political party. 

The SHC had earlier granted petitions of Bilawal’s father, Asif Ali Zardari, PPP co-chairman and former president, and his aunt, Faryal Talpur, for providing security, including bulletproof vehicles and private security guards.