Punjab withdraws Elite Force security from federal minister Salik Hussain
Punjab Police has withdrawn Elite Force personnel assigned to Federal Minister Chaudhry Salik Hussain. The move comes amid a public dispute with Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz over his corruption remarks.
- Punjab Police recalled Elite Force personnel who guarded Chaudhry Salik Hussain in Lahore.
- Salik Hussain confirmed the withdrawal and says a reply to the chief minister's legal notice is ready.
- Federal ministers will get only temporary protocol when visiting Punjab.
Punjab Police has withdrawn the Elite Force personnel deployed for the security of Federal Minister Chaudhry Salik Hussain in Lahore. Police sources told Express News that the personnel have been ordered to report back to their parent force.
Salik Hussain, the federal minister for overseas Pakistanis and human resource development, confirmed that the Elite Force protocol was withdrawn. Daily Pakistan reported that the personnel had protected him since last year, and that the extra security had been introduced after concerns about his safety.
According to Express News, the permanent Elite Force protocol has been withdrawn from federal ministers including him. Officials quoted by Daily Pakistan said federal ministers will continue to receive necessary protection while in Punjab, but provincial Elite Force personnel will not accompany them beyond the province's territorial jurisdiction. Express News reported that ministers will get only temporary protocol when they visit Punjab.
24 News, citing sources, reported that Elite Force personnel at the residence of Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain were also recalled. The sources said the decision followed a notice issued by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and a speech by Chaudhry Hussain Elahi.
The step follows a public dispute over Salik Hussain's claims of corruption in Punjab. Daily Pakistan reported that he has refused to retract his criticism despite receiving a legal notice from the chief minister, which he confirmed receiving the previous day. His legal representatives are preparing a detailed response. Daily Pakistan Urdu quoted him as saying the reply is ready and will come out in a few days.
A Muslim League spokesperson confirmed the reports were correct. Mustafa Malik said: "The chief minister should see that she cannot even tolerate positive criticism." He also said: "This decision of the Punjab government has made their mindset clear." Daily Pakistan quoted Salik Hussain as using the word "childish"; the report extract does not say what it referred to.
Sources told 24 News that Salik Hussain has decided to respond strongly to the chief minister's notice.
Background
khabr.pk reported on 3 November that Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz announced defamation action against Salik Hussain over his claim of corruption in the Punjab government, and that he said he stood by it. On 8 November we reported that Punjab ministers and Defence Minister Khawaja Asif had criticised him. On 10 November Maryam Nawaz said she would not spare any minister against whom a corruption complaint emerged.
Why it matters for Pakistan
The decision changes how a sitting federal minister is protected when in Lahore and Punjab, and sets a temporary-protocol arrangement for federal ministers visiting the province. It also shows the dispute between a federal minister and the Punjab chief minister moving from statements and legal notices to administrative measures. Readers following governance and the relationship between the federal and Punjab governments can see how it is playing out.
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