FC forces deployed for protection of Malik Riaz

A contingent of the Frontier Constabulary has been deployed for the protection of Malik Riaz, a local business tycoon who made his name in real estate. Riaz, who is the man behind Bahria Town, is facing land fraud charges in a Rawalpindi court.

The Islamabad police and the Ministry of Interior had to make extraordinary efforts to secure the services of FC for the protection of the tycoon as it is unprecedented for the paramilitary force to be used for the protection of a private personality.

Riaz does not hold any public office but he has connections with many of the high ups in Pakistani politics and establishment. He is also regarded as one of the richest persons in Pakistan but has complained of harassment since the Pakistan People’s Party
came into power in the country.

It is believed that elements in the current PPP and PML-N led political hierarchy want a share in Riaz’s wealth and have approached him in order to extort some riches. The tycoon therefore feels very threatened in this atmosphere and has been asking for
more and more security measures.

He travels with a heavy contingent of private guards and has also been afforded police protection, but insisted on the FC because they are not politically inclined.

According to a police source, SP Rural Zone visited the FC Headquarters in Islamabad on October 15 to ask for a platoon of FC men that would be deployed for the protection of Malik Riaz. The step was taken allegedly on the initiative of the Central Police
Office and the Interior Ministry.

The FC command however refused to relinquish any personnel.

In the meantime, Riaz’s fears of political victimization grew when Anti-Terrorism Court in Rawalpindi issued warrants for his arrest.

Efforts were heightened after the warrant was issued to coerce the FC to provide men for Malik Riaz’s protection. After the Islamabad Police agreed a deal involving putting some police personnel under FC command, the FC agreed.

Now around 20 FC have taken up duties in Bahria town, which also has a police post and private security guards.

Short URL: https://www.newspakistan.pk/?p=2594

Posted by Ali Ahmed on Nov 3 2011. Filed under Latest News, Politics. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry