LAHORE: The chairman of his own faction of the Pakistan Ulema Council, Allama Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi, has approached the Lahore High Court against withdrawal of his security by police.

Filed through Advocate Azhar Siddique, the cleric pleads in the petition that the police suspended his security in reaction to his criticism on an amendment introduced in new election law by the government about declaration of belief in finality of prophethood.

He states the impugned act of the government was based on mala fide, without jurisdiction, and violation of his fundamental rights enshrined under the Constitution.

Mr Ashrafi said he had been facing serious life threats at the hands of terrorist organisations and the government was also aware of the situation. Even several terrorist attacks had been carried out on him, he said. He said a representation filed before the chief secretary last week for the restoration of the security squad had not been decided so far.

The petitioner asked the court to order the respondents to restore his security squad in view of serious threat alerts which had been received by him from terrorist organisations.

The Punjab chief minister, home secretary and the inspector general of police have been arrayed as respondents in the petition.

Published in Dawn, November 16th, 2017