Shaken by Amjad Sabri’s murder, artistes seek security

KARACHI: Two days after the killing of renowned qawwal Amjad Sabri in an attack in the Liaquatabad area, members of the United Producers Association, including known artistes, filed an application with Defence Police Station for the provision of security to them.

Copies of the application, signed by 62 artistes, were forwarded to the Sindh chief minister, inspector general of police, DG Rangers, DIG South Range, corps commander Karachi, federal interior ministry and other authorities.

The application titled ‘Threat to life and request for immediate security for performing arts fraternity’ was submitted by Fakhar-e-Alam, Adil Murad, Faisal Qureshi and others artistes. It says, “UPA is licensed as an association to represent trade, commerce, industry or service or any combination thereof, in television content production sector on an all Pakistan basis bearing license#157, granted under Section 3 (2) (d) of the Trade Organisation Ordinance, 2009 issued by the Government of Pakistan.

“Being high-profile individuals more known and more recognised than the chief minister and cabinet members and other political figures due to regular appearances on various TV channels throughout Pakistan, we must be provided with bulletproof vehicles and police escorts immediately till such time that we all feel secure.

“It may be noted here that several cabinet members, VIPs and politicians enjoy multiple police escorts and bulletproof vehicles provided by the taxpayers’ money and that we are no less a citizen of Pakistan and that we demand that we may also be provided the same level of security without any delay.”

The application further says: “If in the event that security is not provided and bulletproof vehicles are not provided to all of us mentioned in this application and have signed it, receive any bodily harm or are killed in any attack, we hereby declare that the CM Sindh, home minister Sindh, chief secretary, IG Sindh, area DIG and home secretary must be nominated as abettors to my murder in the FIR.

“If for any reason we cannot be provided with 24 hours round the clock police security escorts and given a bulletproof vehicle, then we demand that all government officials, including the CM Sindh and his cabinet members, must return their police escorts and bulletproof vehicles to the authorities till such time that we are also provided equal protection by the law enforcement agency.

“This complaint is a legal document and must be received and a receipt given back by the concerned police station. This complaint must be treated with utmost urgency.” The police sent the request to their superiors for approval.