{
  "id": 19760756,
  "title": "Security withdrawn from PML-Q lawmakers, ex-MNA of PML-N in Gujrat, claim officials",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/13/security-withdrawn-from-pml-q-lawmakers-ex-mna-of-pml-n-in-gujrat",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-13T05:09:01.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Dawn - Pakistan",
    "slug": "dawn-pakistan",
    "url": "https://www.dawn.com/news/2044259/security-withdrawn-from-pml-q-lawmakers-ex-mna-of-pml-n-in-gujrat-claim-officials"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "GUJRAT: The district police have withdrawn security personnel deployed to safeguard PML-Q and PML-N ministers, lawmakers, and ex-lawmakers, claim officials. A total of 30 policemen, previously assigned to protect political figures from various parties, have been withdrawn. However, only two of these were taken away from Chaudhry Abid Raza Kotla, an ex-MNA of PML-N. The remaining 28 were recalled from protecting PML-Q lawmakers and ministers. At least 12 Elite Force commandos, along with a vehicle, were assigned to guard Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis, Chaudhry Salik Hussain, who also had at least four policemen guarding his residence on the GT Road. The security of Punjab Minister for Industries and Commerce, Chaudhry Shafay Hussain, has also been withdrawn. Notably, one ex-MNA from the National Party has been deprived of security coverage. Details indicate that three policemen once assigned to PML-Q MNA Chaudhry Ilyas have also been withdrawn, while two security guards each for MNA Chaudhry Hussain Elahi, his brother MPA Musa Elahi, and MPA Khalid Asghar Ghural have been reassigned to the Police Lines for new postings. According to a local administration official, the decision to withdraw security for political figures was made during a District Intelligence Committee (DIC) meeting, following the standard operating procedure of the provincial home department. The meeting reviewed the security situation and determined that those politicians facing no threat would no longer have police accompanying them. The withdrawal of security was implemented district-wide and without discrimination, according to sources. Local authorities stated that whenever federal or provincial ministers visit Gujrat, they would receive security measures based on the prevailing circumstances. However, parliamentarians were not entitled to receive permanent police security. Critics argue that the withdrawal of security for senior PML-Q leaders and lawmakers reflects the ruling party's mentality. The decision to withdraw security for prominent PML-Q leaders and lawmakers is viewed as a result of a verbal altercation between Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and federal minister Salik Hussain, following Hussain's criticism of the Punjab government, which included accusations of significant corruption in the province.",
  "summary": "https://www.dawn.com/news/2044120",
  "key_points": [
    "District police withdrew security for PML-Q and PML-N officials in Gujrat.",
    "30 policemen reassigned, 2 remained for ex-MNA Chaudhry Abid Raza Kotla.",
    "Security withdrawn based on threat assessment, not discrimination."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The targeted removal of security from prominent PML-Q leaders suggests that administrative decisions regarding protection may be influenced by political friction between federal and provincial government officials.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}