Imran Khan’s cell phones ‘stolen’ after Sialkot rally

Gill says ex-PM deliberately not provided security over the weekend

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Shahbaz Gill on Monday claimed that a pair of cell phones belonging to party Chairman Imran Khan were stolen from the Sialkot airport after the party held a power show in the city last Saturday.

He made the claim on Twitter two days after Imran, during his Sialkot speech, said his life was under threat and that he had recorded a video message naming “all conspirators”, which will be released in case of his assassination.

Gill said the former prime minister was deliberately not provided security during the rally held over the weekend, adding that his phones were also stolen.

“You are completely befuddled,” the former adviser to the PM said, without addressing anyone in particular. “The video statement that Imran has recorded will not be found in these phones.” He alleged that Imran’s phones were “ordered to be stolen” from the airport when he left for the venue.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday directed Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah to provide foolproof security to Imran Khan. Shehbaz was given a detailed briefing by the Interior Ministry on the security of the former premier.

He also ordered the deployment of a chief security officer immediately along with the former prime minister. The premier also directed all the provincial governments to provide security to the PTI chairman during the rallies. On the other hand, Sanaullah urged Imran to share solid and concrete evidence of possible threat to his life, if any, with the Interior Ministry.

“If former prime minister Imran Niazi has any concrete evidence of possible threat to his life, he should immediately share it with the Interior Ministry,” he said in a statement.

He said the government was ready to conduct a full investigation into the matter. A judicial commission could also be formed in this regard in case the former premier wanted, he added.

He said the judicial commission could make an independent decision after reviewing the evidence and information provided by Imran.

“If Imran Niazi does not provide information about the danger to his life, then like the American conspiracy, this statement will be considered as mere political stunt,” he said.

The minister regretted that the former premier was presenting threat to his life as a political stunt. Later in the day, the Interior Ministry spokesperson said in a statement that the ministry’s directives, police and other law enforcement agencies’ specified personnel had been deployed to ensure foolproof security to Imran Khan.

The spokesperson a total of 94 personnel of police and Frontier Constabulary (FC) had been deployed for the security of the former premiers Bani Gala house. Out of total 94 personnel, 22 were from Islamabad police while 72 from FC were deployed for the purpose.

In addition, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police have also deployed 36 and Gilgit-Baltistan 6 police personnel for the security of the former prime minister by their respective governments.

Similarly, 26 personnel of SMS Security Company and 9 of ASKARI Security Company have also been deputed for the security of Bani Gala residence. For the movement of the former prime minister out of the capital, four vehicles of Islamabad police with 23 personnel and one vehicle of Rangers with five personnel were present full time, the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson said the Interior Ministry was ready to take further steps in the light of information and evidence obtained from the former premier.