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

Afghan strikes
Updated 26 Dec, 2024

Afghan strikes

The military option has been employed by the govt apparently to signal its unhappiness over the state of affairs with Afghanistan.
Revamping tax policy
26 Dec, 2024

Revamping tax policy

THE tax bureaucracy appears to have convinced the government that it can boost revenues simply by taking harsher...
Betraying women voters
26 Dec, 2024

Betraying women voters

THE ECP’s recent pledge to eliminate the gender gap among voters falls flat in the face of troubling revelations...
Kurram ‘roadmap’
Updated 25 Dec, 2024

Kurram ‘roadmap’

The state must provide ironclad guarantees that the local population will be protected from all forms of terrorism.
Snooping state
25 Dec, 2024

Snooping state

THE state’s attempts to pry into citizens’ internet activities continue apace. The latest in this regard is a...
A welcome first step
25 Dec, 2024

A welcome first step

THE commencement of a dialogue between the PTI and the coalition parties occupying the treasury benches in ...