Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has asked Interior Ministry to ensure foolproof security of former Prime Minister Imran Khan.
The directives come in the wake of security threats to former Prime Minister Imran Khan related to today’s PTI rally in Lahore.
PM Shehbaz Sharif has directed Interior Division to take effecitive & immediate steps for provision of fool-proof security to ex-premier Imran Khan. He further said that peaceful public meetings are part of democracy & instructed that no hurdle should be created in this regard.
— Prime Minister's Office (@PakPMO) April 21, 2022
PM Shehbaz Sharif also directed Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah to monitor the situation personally and ensure the implementation of the orders.
In line with the PM’s directives, the Interior Ministry sent an urgent letter to the Home Secretaries of the four provinces, Azad Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan, asking to take strict security measures for PTI chief Imran Khan.
The same directive was issued to the Inspector General Police and the Chief Commissioner of Islamabad.
The letter instructed about putting foolproof security arrangements for Imran Khan during public rallies and other events.
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The letter also stressed the deployment of a bomb disposal squad outside the residence of the former prime minister in Bani Gala.
The ministry also warned that no negligence regarding the security measures during Imran Khan’s public rallies would be tolerated.
The district administration also advised the organisers of the public gathering to ensure that unidentified persons are not allowed entry to the venue.
Doesn’t the SC know @ImranKhanPTI doesn’t need any such dramas. He does not need the photo ops that likes of Maryam and Kampain tang rahi hain do. ImranKhan speaks on@Twitter and millions listen. His jalsa run into millions #امپورٹڈ_حکومت_نامنظور pic.twitter.com/2n71UtdRpP
— Faisal Sherjan (@fsherjan) April 21, 2022
Earlier on Wednesday, the Lahore administration wrote a letter to the PTI leadership regarding security threats to the party’s chairman Imran Khan.
Deputy Commissioner Lahore asked the organisers to install a bulletproof shield for Khan to address a public rally in Lahore at Minar-e-Pakistan today (Thursday).
Read more: Internet services to be disrupted on the morning of PTI Lahore Jalsa
According to The News, Imran Khan has received two security alerts ahead of the event. He is advised to use a bulletproof vehicle with sunroof and windows closed at the rally venue. The deputy commissioner has even advised Khan to address the public meeting over the phone.
However, the PTI did not alter its plan and announced that the rally would start at 8 pm as planned.
In a statement on Tuesday, Imran Khan asked the masses to come to Minar-e-Pakistan rally if they wanted an independent Pakistan.
It will be Imran Khan’s first public address in Lahore after his ouster. The PTI leader has pulled massive crowds in his recent rallies in Karachi and Peshawar and is confident that today’s rally will be an even bigger power show.
Read more: An analysis of Imran Khan’s leadership
A day ago, MNA Shafqat Mehmood chaired a meeting of the Jalsa Committee to review arrangements for the public meeting. PTI leaders, including MNA Hammad Azhar, MPAs Raja Yasir Humayyon, Dr. Yasmin Rashid, Musarrat Jamshed, Saadia Sohail, and former Punjab government spokesperson Hasaan Khawar visited the venue to review the arrangements.