News
Saturday, December 14, 2013
Justice (r) Iftikhar’s security reduced* SC Registrar writes to Interior Ministry for provision of security to former CJP
Staff Report
ISLAMABAD: Former chief justice of Pakistan Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry is perturbed by the police withdrawal of a dozen armed guards of his security detail.
Police sources have, however, said that the former CJP’s security has merely been reduced following his retirement and three police guards have been given to him for his security. This development has compelled the Supreme Court registrar to write to the Interior Ministry for provision of security to the former chief justice of Pakistan. In his letter the SC registrar has claimed that since the former CJP is receiving death threats, he must be provided full security by the government to prevent any unfortunate incident.
The registrar also demanded a bulletproof vehicle for the former CJP. According to reports the Interior Ministry, on Friday, directed the Islamabad IGP to provide foolproof security to Justice (r) Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry. The ministry also wrote to the Cabinet Division to provide a bulletproof vehicle to the former CJP. The registrar also sought security for other retired judges.
However, sources in the Interior Ministry rejected as baseless reports that Iftikhar Chaudhry’s security has been neglected and said that he enjoys foolproof security. When asked about the alleged reduction of former CJP’s security a police officer confirmed this. Defending the decision for reduction in the security, he said that a security committee reviews the security of the VIPs and VVIPs on a regular basis, and after a review it had asked the police headquarters to reduce the number of armed men deployed for the security of Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry, but directed the police to provide him a personal security officer (PSO) along with two gunmen round the clock.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk