LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Friday directed the inspector general of Punjab police to hear point of view of PPP leader Shaukat Mahmood Basra and decide in accordance with law his application seeking state protection/security citing serious threats to his life.

Mr Basra filed a writ petition in the court alleging that the PML-N government had hatched a conspiracy to kill him in a ‘police encounter’.

He further alleged that suspects involved in a recent life attempt made on him in Haroonabad were being patronised by the government and had been extending threats to him and his family.

The petitioner stated that an application was submitted to the IGP for provision of the security but to no avail. He asked the court to order the government and police to provide him and his family with adequate security to ensure their fundamental right of being protected.

On Friday, a police officer told the court that the IGP office had not received any application from the petitioner for the provision of security.

At this, Justice Muhammad Yawar Ali directed the IGP to afford an opportunity of personal hearing to Shaukat Basra and decide his request under the law. The judge adjourned hearing till March 27.

Published in Dawn, March 18th, 2017