The Home Minister says no instructions have been issued regarding the withdrawal of security from any political figure.
Sindh Chief Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon (L) and Sindh Home Minister Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar during a press conference. Photo: Archive
KARACHI:
The Sindh government on Tuesday dismissed reports that security had been withdrawn from leaders of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan (MQM-P), calling the news baseless and misleading.
The controversy arose after government-provided security was withdrawn from several senior MQM-P leaders, including party president Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui. Express News reported. The official security of Siddiqui, Farooq Sattar and Health Minister Mustafa Kamal was withdrawn with immediate effect.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 suspended.
The Ministry of Home Affairs issued directives ordering security personnel to return immediately. Following instructions, police mobile vehicles and deployed personnel were withdrawn.
However, Sindh Home Minister Ziaul-Hassan Lanjari said in a statement that no decision had been taken to withdraw security from any MQM-P leader. 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 the media to avoid the dissemination of unverified information and warned against the politicization of security issues.
Later, Sindh Chief Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon, in a press conference, dismissed claims that security had been withdrawn, calling the reports “false propaganda” and accusing the party of politicizing security issues.
Memon said MQM-P had created a new controversy.
“On one hand, they talk about the fire not being extinguished and on the other, they raise issues about the 18th Amendment and handing over Karachi to the federation. Then the same propaganda was spread to say that security had been withdrawn,” he said.
Read more: Security withdrawn from MQM-P leaders as political tensions rise in Karachi
The Sindh Chief Minister said that the Home Minister had already clarified the matter publicly. He further said that Kamal and Siddiqui were being provided adequate security. “Mustafa Kamal and Khalid Maqbool have received 10 policemen each. We are providing them with more security than the federal government,” he added.
Memon accused the MQM-P of avoiding local government elections and misleading the public. He challenged him to substantiate his claims. “Anyone who needs or wants security must submit a written request and we will consider it,” he added.
The move to revoke the security came after reported discontent within the Pakistan People’s Party, although no official reason was given for the withdrawal. MQM-P leaders believe the decision was taken in response to harsh criticism leveled at the PPP-led government following the deadly Gul Plaza tragedy.
talking to The express PAkGazetteMQM-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 the Sindh government’s criminal negligence in the Gul Plaza incident.
