Security companies may halt armed escort services

Representative body says Sindh Home Dept has barred display of weapons

KARACHI:

After the Sindh government's directive to restrict weapon displays in the name of security, security companies have declared plans to end their security services.

All Pakistan Security Agencies Association has sent a letter to all its member security companies in this regard. The letter states that the Sindh Home Department has amended the notification and directed that the security guards cannot sit behind any vehicle with weapons.

All security companies were therefore advised to shut down the escort services immediately to avoid any possible action by the police. The companies should inform all their customers about this and ask them to express their concerns directly to the Sindh chief minister and the home secretary.

The member security companies are also advised to show this letter to their clients and inform them that the Security Companies Association has barred them from providing all such services.

The association has advised security companies to stop providing security services because, even though weapons may not be displayed in plain view, police could use the possession of firearms to start legal proceedings.

The letter also states that the association is also, in the meantime, trying to contact top police officials for clarification on the said amendment notification.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 19^th, 2023.