Islamabad: The party of Pakistan vote hopeful Imran Khan said Wednesday that "a horde of 100 miscreants" attacked his home and beat up his brother-in-law, as it accused the government of failing to provide security.
Islamabad police denied there had been any break-in at the hill-top villa of the cricket legend, a major contender in general elections next month, and blamed any disturbance on members of his own Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf party.
But party official Shireen Mazari demanded the immediate resignation of the interior minister, responsible for security in a caretaker administration guiding Pakistan towards May 11 polls, accusing him of imperilling Khan`s life.
"The resultant attack on his house by a horde of 100 miscreants today evening put his and his family`s lives at risk while the police and local administration did not respond despite repeated calls," she said in a statement.
"Imran`s brother-in-law was beaten and his female family members abused as his gate was broken and the hordes reached his house because no police protection was provided despite repeated demands," she added.
Islamabad police chief Bani Amin denied any break-in.
"No report has been registered. If anything has happened at Imran Khan`s home, it may have been because of his (party) workers who are demonstrating at his house for party tickets," he told AFP.
Tehreek-e-Insaaf members have been protesting outside Khan`s home in the upmarket village of Bani Gala, just outside Islamabad, against what they call discrimination in how party candidates have been allotted various constituencies.
Insecurity, Taliban threats and bomb attacks have overshadowed much of the election campaign. Five deadly attacks targeting politicians or political parties have killed 24 people since April 11, according to an AFP tally.
The Pakistani Taliban have also directly threatened the three main secular parties in the outgoing government - the Awami National Party, the Pakistan People`s Party and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement.
AFP
Thousands of Pakistanis homeless after quake
Quetta: Thousands of people are homeless and desperate for aid in southwestern Pakistan following a deadly earthquake centered in neighbouring Iran that toppled scores of homes and killed at least 36 people, officials said Wednesday.
The Pakistani army has deployed several hundred soldiers to help the relief effort in Mashkel, the area of Baluchistan province hit hardest by yesterday`s magnitude 7.8 earthquake. But many residents in Mashkel, where nearly all homes were destroyed, said they were unhappy with the official response.
PTI
