Security plans: As protests end, Nisar briefs PM

Chairs meeting with LEA officials.

ISLAMABAD:

Senior officials renewed their focus on the country’s security arrangements during a high-level meeting on Saturday following countrywide protests by Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat (ASWJ) activists over the murder of one of its provincial chiefs.

Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, who chaired the meeting, later met Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and briefed him about measures taken to lower tensions.

Friday’s killing of ASWJ’s Punjab chapter chief sparked a wave of protests as its party members staged sit-ins and rallies in Lahore, Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

The party had earlier refused to offer funeral prayers for the assassinated leader unless federal government assured them that quick arrests would be made. But after negotiations with the government, the protests were called off and its leader laid to rest.



Once the situation was brought under control, the interior minister briefed PM Nawaz in a meeting about the steps the ministry had taken to neutralise any tension, officials told The Express Tribune. However, a statement released by the interior ministry said the “minister discussed the overall security situation with the prime minister.”

But officials revealed that Nisar told the premier about the status of investigations into the killing of ASWJ’s leader.

Later, taking notice of the increasing incidents of sectarian violence in the country, the interior minister called a meeting and instructed heads of law enforcement agencies to strictly maintain greater coordination with provincial governments.

The security officials briefed the minister on the current law and order situation in Balochistan, where local bodies’ elections were conducted. They also apprised Chaudhry Nisar about the “steps taken to curb violence in Karachi”.

“The rise in the incidents of sectarian violence is a matter of concern for the government,” said the interior minister. “All acts of violence should be dealt with an iron hand. All segments of religious opinion should be taken on board in a proactive and positive manner.”

Nisar directed the Islamabad and Rawalpindi police to introduce a dusk-to-dawn vigilance system in the twin cities, along with patrolling by Rangers and the Army.

He said that a Rapid Response Force (RRF) should be created for Islamabad and Rawalpindi having the capability of reaching any location within seven to ten minutes.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 8^th, 2013.