PPP Islamabad leader seeks protection against Taliban extortionists

ISLAMABAD: A local politician of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) approached Islamabad High Court (IHC) seeking protection for himself and his family members against extortionists from outlawed Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

In the past, over 100 traders, some industrialists and a few relatives of politicians have lodged complaints with the police after TTP extortionists demanded money from them, Dawn newspaper reported on Saturday.

However it is for the first time that a politician from the mainstream political party has sought security from extortionists.

Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar, former adviser to the president on human rights and PPP deputy secretary information, was booked by Industrial Area Police a couple of days ago for carrying prohibited weapons without permits. He, however, obtained a bail from the local court.

In the petition, Khokhar attached a threat alert the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) issued on June 12, 2013 which was also circulated by the National Crisis Management Cell the same day.

According to the alert, miscreants affiliated with Qari Sana Ullah aka Qari Mansoor (affiliated with TTP/Jihadi outfits based in Miramshah) were planning to target Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar and two industrialists by carrying out explosion at their houses or at private gatherings.

These three people, however, “refused to pay the extortion money demanded by Maulvi Khalid or Commander Inteqami (based in Miramshah)”.

Advocate Khurram Hashmi, the counsel for Khokhar, adopted before Justice Noorul Haq N. Qureshi on Friday that it was a matter of record that people of similar background like Shahbaz Taseer, son of slain governor Salmaan Taseer, and Ali Haider Gillani, son of former prime minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, were kidnapped and are yet to be recovered.

He cited interior secretary, inspector general and SSP Islamabad as respondents.

Mr Hashmi said the respondents had been informed about the serious threats to the life of the petitioner but no step had so far been taken to provide him security.

The counsel requested the court to direct the respondent authorities to provide 24 hours special security cover to the petitioner, his father former deputy speaker National Assembly Haji Nawaz Khokhar and Mustafa’s two brothers.

After preliminary hearing, Justice Qureshi issued notices to the respondents and adjourned the hearing for a short date.