Home minister says no instructions issued regarding withdrawal of security from any political personality
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The Sindh government on Tuesday dismissed reports claiming that security had been withdrawn from leaders of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan (MQM-P), calling the news baseless and misleading.
The controversy arose after government-provided security was withdrawn from several senior MQM-P leaders, including party chairman Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Express News reported. Official security for Siddiqui, Farooq Sattar and Health Minister Mustafa Kamal was withdrawn with immediate effect.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 discontinued.
The Ministry of Interior issued directives ordering security personnel to return immediately. Following the instructions, police mobile vehicles and deployed staff were recalled.
However, Sindh Interior Minister Ziaul-Hassan Lanjari said in a statement that no decision had been taken to remove security from any MQM-P leaders. He clarified that Kamal and Siddiqui were currently in Islamabad and continued to receive security as per existing arrangements.
“No instructions have been issued regarding the withdrawal of security from any political personality,” Lanjar said. He urged the public and media to avoid spreading unverified information and warned against politicising security matters.
Later, Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon, in a press conference, dismissed claims that security had been withdrawn, calling the reports “false propaganda” and accusing the party of politicising security issues.
Memon said a new controversy had been created by MQM-P.
“On one hand, they talk about the fire not being extinguished, and on the other hand, they raise issues about the 18th Amendment and handing Karachi over to the federation. The same propaganda was then extended to say that security had been withdrawn,” he said.
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The Sindh senior minister said the home minister had already clarified the matter publicly. He further said Kamal and Siddiqui were being provided with adequate security. “Mustafa Kamal and Khalid Maqbool have been given 10 police personnel each. We are providing 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 its claims. “Whoever needs security or wants security should submit a written request, and we will consider it,” he added.
The move to revoke security followed reported discontent within the Pakistan Peoples Party, though no official reason was given for the withdrawal. MQM-P leaders believe the decision was taken in response to sharp criticism they levelled at the PPP-led government following the deadly Gul Plaza tragedy.
Speaking to The Express Tribune, MQM-P leader Aminul Haq said the move reflected panic within the PPP. He said the ruling party could not tolerate criticism and that the MQM would continue to raise public concerns at every forum. He added that such tactics would not stop the party from highlighting what it called the Sindh government’s criminal negligence in the Gul Plaza incident.
