The Islamabad High Court (IHC) Chief Justice, Aamer Farooq, has ordered the government to provide former Pakistani Prime Minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan with security as per the law. This decision came after Mr. Khan filed a petition seeking security following an alleged threatening statement by Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah.
During the hearing, the IHC CJ Farooq asked about the laws that entitle former premiers to security. The additional attorney general (AAG) said that an ex-PM is entitled to security under Section 17 of the Constitution. The AAG also stated that a bulletproof vehicle had been given to Khan but added that the provision of security was a provincial matter after the 18th Amendment.
The representative of the Ministry of Interior informed the court that security was being provided, but the notification had yet to be issued for its approval. The official stated that the federal government looks after the issue of security as far as Islamabad is concerned, while the Punjab inspector general will look into the matter for Punjab. The official also confirmed that “foolproof” security had been given to the PTI chief until he was in Islamabad.
During the hearing, PTI’s lawyer Salman Safdar referred to the Wazirabad incident when an attempt to assassinate the former premier had been made. IHC CJ Farooq directed the authorities to provide Khan with security as per the law and ordered them to present the rules and laws regarding the provision of security to a former prime minister. The justice also observed that the government must review the security in light of the threat alert.
CJ Farooq remarked that the former prime minister should get the security according to his status and directed the authorities to inform the court the extent of security a former premier is entitled to. An order will be issued after the submission of rules. The IHC CJ has sought details of rules about the provision of security to former prime ministers of the country.
In conclusion, the IHC CJ Farooq has directed the government to provide security to Imran Khan as per the law and has asked for details of the rules regarding the provision of security to former prime ministers. The court has also observed that the government must review the security in light of the threat alert.
