Arbab Alamgir seeks security for his family

PESHAWAR: Pakistan People's Party (PPP) former federal minister Arbab Alamgir Khan has expressed concern over the prevailing law and order situation in the country, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and asked the government to provide security to him and his family.

In a letter to the secretary, Home and Tribal Affairs, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Capital City Police Officer, Peshawar, he claimed that he faced severe threat even when he was the federal minister.

"I was under severe threat of kidnapping and killing and warning was issued to all concerned by the ministry of interior from time to time," he told The News on Monday. He said he had apprised the government officials about the threat as it was their responsibility to provide security to citizens.

In the letter, the PPP leader said that during the last five years a vigorous defamation campaign was launched against him and his family and subsequently the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) registered cases against him and his wife.

Arbab Alamgir said that he, his wife Asma Alamgir and son Arbab Zarak were the PPP candidates in the coming general election and had to visit their constituencies to meet voters.

"I have information from my own sources that we might be attacked in the area bordering Mohmand Agency, in the NA 27 constituency from where my wife is contesting and areas like Mattani, Passani, Adezai, Sherakera, Bara, Mera Surizai in the NA: 29 constituency where I will be a candidate," he said.

He said he, his wife and son fear for their lives. "Being former minister and public representatives I and my wife have every right to approach the government through secretary Home, KP to provide us all possible security," he said.

The PPP leader said that being political workers and party candidates, they could not remain inside their home but had to contact the people in constituencies.

He said it was his responsibility to apprise the government about the threat but had not received any response from the authorities so far.

He said he had also apprised his party leadership and would consult his people within few days if proper security measures were not taken.

Coming down hard on the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) governments in the centre and province, Arbab Alamgir said the rulers were interested in protecting personal interests instead of working for the masses.

"The PML-N and PTI leaders are rejoicing at the joining of their parties by turncoats from other parties ignoring all the principles. But the nation has realized the double standards of the PML-N and PTI leaders and they would reject them in the coming election," Arbab Alamgir said.