Home Secretary says no instructions have been issued to withdraw security from any political figure
Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon (L) and Sindh Home Minister Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar during press conference. Photo: File
KARACHI:
The Sindh government on Tuesday rejected reports that security had been withdrawn from the leaders of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan (MQM-P), calling the news baseless and misleading.
The controversy arose after government security was withdrawn from several senior MQM-P leaders, including party chairman Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Express news reported. Official security for Siddiqui, Farooq Sattar and Health Minister Mustafa Kamal was withdrawn with immediate effect. Security cover for Anis Kaimkhani and Sindh Assembly Opposition Leader Ali Khurshidi was also cut off.
The Ministry of Interior issued directives ordering security personnel to return immediately. Following the instructions, police mobile vehicles and deployed personnel were recalled.
However, Sindh Home Minister Ziaul-Hassan Lanjari said in a statement that no decision had been taken to remove the security of any MQM-P leaders. He clarified that Kamal and Siddiqui were currently in Islamabad and continued to receive security under existing arrangements.
“No instructions have been issued to withdraw security from any political figure,” Lanjar said. He urged the public and the media to avoid spreading unverified information and warned against politicizing security issues.
Later, Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon at a press conference dismissed claims that security had been withdrawn, calling the reports “false propaganda” and accusing the party of politicizing security issues.
Memon said a new controversy had been created by the MQM-P.
“On one hand they are talking about the fire not being put out and on the other hand they are raising questions about the 18th amendment and handing over Karachi to the federation. The same propaganda was then extended to say that security had been withdrawn,” he said.
Read more: Security withdrawn from MQM-P leaders as political tensions rise in Karachi
The senior Sindh minister said the home minister had already cleared the matter publicly. He further said that Kamal and Siddiqui were provided with adequate security. “Mustafa Kamal and Khalid Maqbool have been given 10 policemen each. We are giving them more security than the federal government,” he added.
Memon accused the MQM-P of avoiding local government elections and misleading the public. He challenged it to substantiate his claims. “Whoever needs security or wants security should submit a written request and we will consider it,” he added.
The move to revoke the security followed reported discontent within the Pakistan Peoples Party, although no official reason was given for the withdrawal. MQM-P leaders believe that the decision was taken in response to sharp criticism they leveled at the PPP-led government after the deadly Gul Plaza tragedy.
speaks to Express PakinomistMQM-P leader Aminul Haq said the move reflected panic within the PPP. He said the ruling party could not tolerate criticism and the MQM would continue to raise public concerns at all forums. He added that such tactics would not stop the party from highlighting what it called Sindh government’s criminal negligence in the Gul Plaza incident.
