ISLAMABAD:
At least 40 cops including several elite commandoes and two vehicles of the
Punjab police are delegated for round-the-clock security of Pakistan Awami
Tehrik (PAT) Chairman Dr. Tahirul Qadri, who is spending approximately Rs2
million per month from the provincial coffer. His security paraphernalia
consists of a total of one sub-inspector, four head constables, 22 constables,
12 elite force commandoes, two drivers and two vehicles, a senior Punjab
government official told The News.
This
is apart from the personal guards that Dr. Qadri has hired from a private firm
for his security and dozens of his own party men, who perform similar duties
with him. Of the Punjab government security personnel, the official said, one
sub-inspector, three head constables and 18 constables are deployed at the PAT
chief’s Model Town residence. One head constable and four constables are
detailed at the nearby Minhajul Quran Markaz in the same vicinity for Dr. Qadri’s
security.
Besides,
there are 12 elite force commandoes, who are on 24-hour duty having a vehicle
in their use. Another vehicle is in the use of other policemen. Each vehicle
spends approximately Rs.100, 000 per month for this duty. The policemen are
drawing monthly salaries ranging from Rs.30, 000 to Rs.60, 000 per month, the
official said giving the breakup of their pays.
He
said that foolproof security was ensured for Dr. Qadri immediately after his
return to Pakistan in December last. He said the Punjab government has not
bothered about the lethal attack the PAT chief continues to shower on the
provincial administration and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN). As far
as the security cover for Dr. Qadri is concerned, the official said, the
government has made it a point not to give him an opportunity to complain and
he seems to be satisfied with it. Such kind of security, the official said, is
available only to VVIPs, who occupy key government offices. He said that
maximum care has been taken in view of the peculiar security situation. He said
that Dr. Qadri would continue to have this much security cover till the time he
is in Pakistan. For the moment, he has no plan to go back to Canada and will
stay in Pakistan at least till the conclusion of the forthcoming general
elections.
According to the official, it was because of the comprehensive security
consisting of different layers provided to the PAT chairman during his long
march that he had an absolutely smooth passage from Lahore to Rawalpindi. At no
stage, did the provincial administration create any hurdle in his way to
discourage participation of people in his protest, he said.
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