ISLAMABAD – The National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA) has informed a Senate panel that major political leaders, including Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan, are facing threats to their lives from terrorists amid electioneering.
Nacta director Obaid Farooq while briefing the Senate Standing Committee on Interior on Monday about the possible terror attempts during the election season of Pakistan said that six key politicians, including Imran Khan, Awami National Party (ANP) leaders Asfandyar Wali and Ameer Haider Hoti, Qaumi Watan Party (QWP) head Aftab Sherpao, Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl leader Akram Khan Durrani and Hafiz Saeed’s son Talha Saeed are under threat.
He added that there are also threats to the top leadership of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP).
Around 12 alerts have been sent to the federal interior and provincial home ministers, and security agencies, he informed the body.
Following the briefing, committee chairman Senator Rehman Malik directed the interior ministry to ensure the foolproof security of the politicians and heads of the political parties, adding that such alerts should be taken seriously.
Malik suggested to the provincial governments and law enforcement agencies to appoint focal persons to ensure security during the elections. The general elections in Pakistan are set to be held on July 25.
He also expressed concerns over the recent stone pelting at the convoy of PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari in a Karachi rally.
