Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari, who is always a key target for terrorists, is planning to hire security guards from the United States, a media report here claimed.
“In the backdrop of Punjab governor Salman Taseer’s murder by his police guard, a proposal is under consideration (to) bring in security guards from the United States
for President Zardari”, a Pakistani newspaper reported. Foreign security guards are also being considered for other VIPs, including Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani. The Taseer killing, the paper said, “validated fears that religious extremism had penetrated the ranks of security forces in Pakistan”.
Mr Taseer was killed earlier this month by his own guard, who surrendered after assassinating him, accusing Mr Taseer of committing blasphemy.
Mr Zardari has often said that his life is in danger and he was recently quoted as instructing his son Bilawal, chairman of the Pakistan People’s Party, to name his (Zardari’s) sister Faryal Talpur as President in case he was killed.
A presidential spokesman, however, on Wednesday dismissed reports about foreign guards for the President, saying there was no such proposal. “No proposal whatsoever is under consideration to employ or seek foreign guards,” spokesman Farhatullah Babar said.