• Personnel from police, FC, private firms deployed outside Banigala
• Five vehicles and 28 personnel to accompany Imran during movement
• Rana Sana seeks proof of threat to ex-PM’s life

ISLAMABAD: The Interior Ministry has deployed 94 police and Frontier Corps (FC) personnel for the security of former prime minister Imran Khan’s Banigala residence as well as 35 more from two private security companies.

Moreover, 36 personnel of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police and six from Gilgit-Baltistan have also been deployed by the respective governments for Mr Khan’s security.

Additionally, four vehicles and 23 personnel of the Islamabad police and one vehicle and five personnel of the FC have been dedicated to accompanying the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chairman during his movement.

The ministry made these foolproof security arrangements for Mr Khan in light of the directions issued by his successor, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, following the former’s claims about a plot to assassinate him.

The prime minister, who held two threat assessment meetings with officials from the Interior Ministry to finalise the security detail for the former premier, was briefed by Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah about the measures. The PM also directed for provision of the best security to his predecessor besides deployment of a chief security officer for him.

The PM also directed the provincial governments to provide security to Mr Khan at the PTI’s public meetings.

“Police and other law enforcement agencies have been directed to ensure complete deployment of the security personnel assigned for the former prime minister,” said a spokesperson for the Interior Ministry. He said under the ministry supervision, a “threat assessment company was constantly reviewing matters pertaining to the security of Imran Khan”.

Meanwhile, Rana Sanaullah said the government was ready to probe into the purported threat to Mr Khan’s life, and if the PTI chief wanted, it could also constitute a judicial commission for the purpose.

“The judicial commission may review the evidence and information provided by Imran Niazi and take an independent decision,” Mr Sanaullah said on Twitter. He sought solid evidence if the PTI chief had any about a possible threat to his life.

Published in Dawn, May 17th, 2022