MULTAN: The Lahore High Court Multan bench directed the city police officer (CPO) to resolve an issue within a week relating to the security of Ali Haidar Gilani, a son of former prime minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, whose security was withdrawn by police.

In a petition through his counsel Sheikh Ghayasul Haq, Gilani junior stated that despite being kidnapped once, his security has been withdrawn by police when the security of a citizen is the responsibility of the state under Article 9 of the Constitution.

“Similarly, under Section 21 of the Anti-Terrorism Act 1997, provision of security to a witness is the responsibility of the state,” he stated.

The court directed the CPO to resolve the matter within a week.

Ali Haidar Gilani was abducted by unidentified armed men on May 9, 2013 during his election campaign for a provincial assembly seat. His secretary Ghulam Muhiuddin had been shot dead. He was recovered on May 10, 2016 from Ghanzi province of Afghanistan.

Published in Dawn, April 25th, 2018