Report sought from Special Branch on Gabol’s plea

Karachi
The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Wednesday directed the special branch of police to submit a report on former MNA Nabeel Gabol’s petition seeking Rangers protection.
Gabol, in his petition had complained of receiving threats from the Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s (MQM) different party leaders, including its chief Altaf Hussain.
He submitted that his life was in danger as security provided by the provincial government was withdrawn.
He prayed to the court to direct the paramilitary force to provide security to him.
SP security commented that four police personnel had been assigned the duty to protect the former MNA, however, the security was withdrawn following his resignation from the national assembly.
He maintained that due to a shortage of police force security could not be provided to the petitioner.
Referring to previous incidents of politicians being provided with security, the SP stated that MNA Faryal Talpur and businessman Anwar Majeed were provided security following reports of intelligence agencies, while security to former home advisor Waseem Akhtar, former minister Pir Mazharul Haq, Rauf Siddiqui and Dr Sagheer Ahmed was assigned after they had received threats from banned militant organisations.
Gabol who had been a dedicated member of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) had joined the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) before general elections in May 2013, following a fall out with the then party chairman and President Asif Ali Zardari in 2011. He had otherwise won three provincial assembly elections and two national assembly elections from his Lyari constituency whereas his third stint as federal minister was from MQM’s stronghold NA-246. He, however, later resigned from the constituency as well as the party.

Illegal liquor shops
The SHC directed the provincial excise and taxation department to submit the details of unlicensed wine shops operating in the city.
The directives were given while hearing a petition against illegal wine shops in Muslim community areas, filed by one Saleem Raza.
The petitioner had submitted that 11 unlicensed liquor shops were running in district West in Muslim majority areas and no action had been taken against them. The court directed the excise department to submit details about the liquor shops as well as their locations.