US embassy wants to retain six barriers

CDA says all security measures within plot limits allowed, terms the matter a police issue

ISLAMABAD:

The American Embassy located inside the highly fortified Diplomatic Enclave has sought permission from the capital’s civic agency to retain six security barriers installed around its newly-built complex.

“These drop arm security barriers are installed in the right of way of surrounding streets or roads [for security purposes] in Diplomatic Enclave,” says a recent correspondence between the Capital Development Authority (CDA) and Ministry of Foreign Affairs over the issue.

The embassy’s administration had made the request through the ministry.

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However, explaining the location of the barriers, the CDA responded that grant of this permission does not fall under its purview and that “the issue is related to security and traffic management and thus pertains to Islamabad Police,” the letter states.

The permission has been sought at a time when the issue of discriminatory action against encroachments is part of the public debate following CDA’s action against the I-11 katchi abadi.

A case related to the issue is pending with the Supreme Court. In its recent directions, the court had ordered the city authorities to remove all blockades from across the city, especially the foreign missions operating in residential as well within the Diplomatic Enclave.

The CDA has said in the letter that the embassy can only retain any or all kind of security measures within its plot limits. The foreign ministry has been requested to approach the Islamabad Police to pursue the matter further.

The Diplomatic Enclave in Sector G-5 houses 43 embassies and high commissions, and is closed for the public. Contrary to this fact many embassies have erected additional blockages in the form of security barriers and moveable bomb-proof walls around their respective premises.

A majority of the embassies have valid permissions from the relevant Pakistani departments for this.

A few days ago, the placement of a moveable wall beyond permissible limits or outside the plotline of the French Embassy has caused a minor dispute between the CDA and Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In this case, the CDA had insisted that the ministry ask the French Embassy to push back the wall within its permissible limits.

In January 2015, the CDA had informed the Supreme Court that 216 public thoroughfares in Islamabad are closed for the public under the guise of security.

The court had ordered their immediate removal.

Implementing the said order, the CDA and police only targeted blockages once erected by the city residents on the advice of police to avoid street crimes.

However, a majority of government departments, embassies and law-enforcement agencies, except some, did not give due consideration to the court’s directions and their encroachments are yet to be removed.

“Following the court’s orders, the CDA through the foreign ministry had requested foreign missions to remove encroachments from their respective premises,” said a senior official of the CDA.

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He said permissions granted in past were also withdrawn on the court’s orders, adding that in response, foreign missions citing security concerns requested the Foreign Office that they be allowed to continue to retain security measures.

CDA spokesperson Ramzan Sajid said he does not have knowledge of the specific issue, however, he said any request or permission in this regard will be treated under prevailing laws and recent directions of the Supreme Court.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 12^th, 2015.