KARACHI: The Sindh High Court on Wednesday once again directed the interior ministry to file its reply on a constitutional petition of Pakistan Peoples Party chief Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari seeking adequate security and permission to travel with personal guards across the country.

Headed by Chief Justice Sajjad Hussain Shah, a two-judge bench, also gave the provincial government two-week time to place on record its policy regarding provision of security to political leaders and citizens.

At the outset of the hearing, Additional Attorney General Salman Talibuddin requested the bench to grant him further time to seek a reply from the interior ministry.

Additional Advocate General Barrister Ghulam Mustafa Mahesar also asked the court for more time to place on record the provincial government’s policy regarding provision of security to the citizens.

A civil right campaigner, Syed Iqbal Kazmi, also moved an application to become a party in the instant petition.

The bench issued notices to the federal and provincial government’s law officers and put off the hearing to Dec 13.

Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari had filed a constitutional petition through his counsel, Advocate Akhtar Hussain, seeking the court’s directives for the federal and provincial governments to ensure provision of a round-the-clock security cover as there were serious threats to his life in view of reports of security agencies.

Mr Bhutto-Zardari asked the court to direct the authorities to allow him to carry his personal security guards with licensed arms while travelling or addressing public meetings throughout the country.

He stated in the petition that being the chairman of the PPP he had to travel across the country to address public gatherings and discharge public duties for the welfare of the people at large.

The PPP chairman said the security agencies had issued reports regarding serious threats to his life. Therefore, there was a grave concern about his security, he added.

He submitted that he had apprehension about his security as he had been receiving death threats from terrorist organisations.

The petitioner submitted that in view of the law and order situation and security threats, his life and property were in serious danger, therefore, he needed adequate security.

He asked the court to direct the federal and provincial governments to provide him adequate security during his visits across the country.

Published in Dawn December 15th, 2016