Many schools in capital lack security

SSP asks police officials to increase patrolling during school hours

ISLAMABAD: Over a year after the attack on the Army Public School in Peshawar, Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) has failed to ensure complete security for the educational institutes of the capital city.

In the wake of the Bacha Khan University attack, a meeting was called by SSP Sajid Kiyani in which he directed all police officials including SP, SDPOs and SHOs to patrol around educational institutions, in their jurisdictions, at the opening and closing timings of the schools.

He also directed them to ensure effective security arrangements by deploying additional police personnel and continuous patrolling in their vicinity.

Kiyani said deployment of security guards should be ensured on roof tops of educational institutions and similar arrangements are to be made for the security of media outlets and other buildings of importance.

The SSP also asked to review the security measures taken around religious places including mosques and seminaries.

Security guards hired by some universities in Islamabad including Quaid-e-Azam University, International Islamic University Islamabad are also not well equipped and well trained.

Following the APS attack FDE had hired security guards for colleges and schools but they were relieved due to the shortage of funds.

Secretary Capital Administration and Development Division Khalid Hanif, while talking to The Express Tribune, said “We are going to beef up security in the 422 educational institutes in the capital with collaboration of the Islamabad Police”.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 25^th,  2016.