Interior Minister says no instructions have been issued regarding withdrawal of security from political figure
Sindh Chief Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon (left) and Sindh Interior Minister Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar at a press conference. Photo: File
KARACHI:
The Sindh government on Tuesday dismissed reports claiming security had been withdrawn from Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan (MQM-P) leaders, terming the reports baseless and misleading.
The controversy arose after government security was withdrawn from several senior MQM-P leaders, including party president Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Express News reported. The official security of Siddiqui, Farooq Sattar and Health Minister Mustafa Kamal has been withdrawn with immediate effect. The security cover of Anis Kaimkhani and Sindh Assembly Opposition Leader Ali Khurshidi was also disrupted.
The Interior Ministry issued directives ordering security personnel to return immediately. Following the instructions, police mobile vehicles and deployed personnel were recalled.
However, Sindh Interior Minister Ziaul-Hassan Lanjari said in a statement that no decision had been taken to withdraw security from MQM-P leaders. He said Kamal and Siddiqui were currently in Islamabad and continued to enjoy security as per existing arrangements.
“No instructions have been issued regarding the withdrawal of security from any political figure,” Lanjar said. He urged the public and media to avoid spreading unverified information and warned against politicizing security issues.
Later, Sindh Chief Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon in a press conference dismissed allegations that security had been withdrawn, terming the reports “false propaganda” and accusing the party of politicizing security issues.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 how the fire was not put out, and on the other, they are raising questions regarding the 18th amendment and the handing over of Karachi to the federation. The same propaganda was later extended to say that security had been withdrawn,” he said.
Learn more: Security withdrawn from MQM-P leaders as political tensions rise in Karachi
The Sindh Chief Minister said that the Interior Minister had already clarified the issue publicly. He further said that Kamal and Siddiqui were provided with adequate security. “Mustafa Kamal and Khalid Maqbool have received 10 policemen each. We are providing them more security than the federal government,” he added.
Memon accused the MQM-P of avoiding local elections and misleading the public. He challenged him to back up his claims. “Anyone who needs security or wants security should submit a written request and we will review it,” he added.
The decision to revoke security followed reported discontent within the Pakistan People’s Party, although no official reason was given for the withdrawal. MQM-P leaders believe the move was taken in response to the harsh criticism they leveled at the PPP-led government following the deadly Gul Plaza tragedy.
Talk to The Express PK Press ClubMQM-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 voice public concerns at every forum. He added that such tactics would not stop the party from highlighting what it called the criminal negligence of the Sindh government in the Gul Plaza incident.
