Taliban threats: Former President Zardari seeks additional security

Former President Asif Ali Zardari Thursday knocked at the door of a court, seeking its intervention to direct the government to provide him security as he is facing Taliban threats, his lawyers said.

Zardari, a central leader of the opposition Pakistan Peoples Party, completed his five year term last month and now eyes bigger political role.

The former President filed a petition in a high court in the port city of Karachi, citing threats to his life from the militants.

There was no response from the government.

“My life is in danger from the Taliban militants and they could try to assassinate me,” Mr Zardari said in his petition submitted in Sindh High Court.

He requested the court to issue special instructions to the government to provide him additional paramilitary troops and policemen to ensure his security.

Zardari’s PPP is under Taliban attacks and several of its activities have been targeted by the militants because of its anti-Taliban approach.

Former Prime Minister, Benazir Bhutto, spouse of Zardari, was killed in a suicide attack and gunshots in the city of Rawalpindi in 2007. Then government of Pervez Musharraf had blamed the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan or TTP for Benazir’s assassination.

The TTP had issued threats to three secular parties, including the PPP, prior to the May 11 elections.  The Taliban threats had crippled the election campaign of the PPP and other secular parties.

Being a former President, Zardari is entitled to get some security, however in view of serious threats, Zardari is seeking foolproof security.