LAHORE: Police told the Lahore High Court on Tuesday that official security could not be provided to Allama Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi, chairman of his own faction of the Pakistan Ulema Council.

A report submitted before the court on behalf of the Lahore capital city police officer (CCPO) stated that the police security of Mr Ashrafi had been withdrawn in the light of a Supreme Court order.

Mr Ashrafi had filed a petition challenging withdrawal of his police security.

Moreover, the report said Mr Ashrafi had no need of security as per reports of different [intelligence] agencies. The petitioner could hire private security, if he deems necessary, subject to permission from the provincial government, the report added.

Justice Muhammad Qasim Khan adjourned hearing till Oct 15 and directed the petitioner’s counsel to come up with his counter arguments on the police report.

Previously, Advocate Azhar Siddique had argued that the police suspended security of his client in reaction to his criticism on an amendment introduced in the new election law by the government about declaration of belief in finality of prophethood. He said the impugned act of the government was based on mala fide intention and in violation of petitioner’s fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution.

The counsel said the petitioner had been facing serious life threats at the hands of terrorist organisations and the government was also aware of the situation. He said Mr Ashrafi had survived many terror attacks in the past.

He asked the court to order the police to restore security of the petitioner in view of threats to his life.

Published in Dawn, September 26th, 2018