Policemen are seen gathered at the site where slain minister Shahbaz Bhatti was gunned down outside his residence in Islamabad on March 2, 2011. — Photo by AFP

ISLAMABAD: Inspector General Islamabad Police Wajid Durrani on Wednesday said Shahbaz Bhatti's assassination was not the result of a security lapse and that the minister had been provided with two squads — one of FC and the other of police — for his protection, DawnNews reported.

Durrani said usually ministers are provided with one squad but Shahbaz Bhatti had been provided with two squads for his protection.

Durrani told APP that Shahbaz Bhatti himself had directed that the squads not be provided at his residence.

There was no squad or protection with him when the assailants opened fire at Shahbaz Bhatti.

“He was intercepted by three to four persons riding in Mehran car who opened firing at him,” APP quoted Durrani as saying.

He further said that all routes leading out of Islamabad had been sealed and mobile squads were directed to check all cars of that make.

He said a special team was also constituted for investigation. — DawnNews/APP

Opinion

Editorial

Return to the helm
Updated 28 Apr, 2024

Return to the helm

With Nawaz Sharif as PML-N president, will we see more grievances being aired?
Unvaxxed & vulnerable
Updated 28 Apr, 2024

Unvaxxed & vulnerable

Even deadly mosquito-borne illnesses like dengue and malaria have vaccines, but they are virtually unheard of in Pakistan.
Gaza’s hell
Updated 28 Apr, 2024

Gaza’s hell

Perhaps Western ‘statesmen’ may moderate their policies if a significant percentage of voters punish them at the ballot box.
Missing links
Updated 27 Apr, 2024

Missing links

As the past decades have shown, the country has not been made more secure by ‘disappearing’ people suspected of wrongdoing.
Freedom to report?
27 Apr, 2024

Freedom to report?

AN accountability court has barred former prime minister Imran Khan and his wife from criticising the establishment...
After Bismah
27 Apr, 2024

After Bismah

BISMAH Maroof’s contribution to Pakistan cricket extends beyond the field. The 32-year old, Pakistan’s...