Providing safe havens: Red tape delays shifting of missions to Diplomatic Enclave
Moving of foreign missions to their enclave delayed by red tape.
ISLAMABAD:
Diplomatic missions and other offices related to foreign agencies housed in residential areas of Islamabad, though themselves heavily protected behind thick concrete walls and guarded by armed guards, pose a grave threat to the life and property of the residents in their neighbourhood as terrorist attacks targeting them often misfire and cause deaths and injuries among unintended victims.
The relocation of these foreign missions from residential sectors to the Diplomatic Enclave has again been delayed as the Islamabad Capital Territory administration (ICT) and the Capital Development Authority (CDA) do not see eye to eye on the issue.
The heavily guarded fortresses located mostly in the posh F sectors of the capital are not only a cause of concern for the citizens but the barricades and concrete blocks placed to guard against terrorist attacks are a great inconvenience for the people. They not only block easy access to residents’ entrances but also obstruct free flow of traffic on the roads.
Chief Commissioner Tariq Mahmood Pirzada, when contacted said that there was no harm if the foreign missions are functioning in the residential areas of the city. Ignoring the security situation of the country, he said that all over the world, Pakistani diplomats are also living in residential areas.
Responding to a question, Pirzada said that in the wake of recent terrorist incidents in Quetta, Karachi and Peshawar, we recommended the diplomats to move to the much safer Diplomatic Enclave but, he said, “we cannot force our foreign guests”.
On the other hand, CDA describes foreign missions presence in residential sectors as violation of bylaws.
Officials from the civic authority pinpointed the foreign missions which are operating in residential areas in violation of the CDA bylaws. “The operation of diplomatic and security agencies offices in the residential areas is against by-laws,” a senior official of the civic agency said. He said that CDA had not been able to serve notices on the foreigners as it requires approval of the interior ministry and foreign ministry.
An official of the interior ministry, however, hoped that with the coordination of relevant quarters the issue would be resolved soon.
“With the passage of time many foreign embassies expended the strength of their staff due to which they hired private residences in residential areas for their staffers,” he added explaining the cause of increased diplomatic presence in the housing districts.
Moreover, CDA planning directorate officials said that plots are available in Diplomatic Enclave for these foreign missions.
At present, a large number of diplomats are residing in residential areas with the permission of Islamabad administration, added an official shifting the blame on the city administration.
“Yes we gave them permission and it is our responsibility to provide them security,” replied the Chief Commissioner, adding, “However we have also asked our foreign guests to shift to Diplomatic Enclave.”
A representative of Australian High Commission told The Express Tribune on Thursday that his mission was functioning inside Diplomatic Enclave.
Responding to a question regarding ‘private residence’ of Australian diplomats in sector E-7, he said that it was not a violation because relevant authorities allowed us for the same.
Besides, the embassies of Sweden, Belgium, Italy, Bangladesh, Thailand, Norway, Denmark and Afghanistan are also operating outside Diplomatic Enclave, CDA official said, adding that around 20 UN and EU missions are also operating in residential areas of the capital city.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 23rd, 2011.
Diplomatic missions and other offices related to foreign agencies housed in residential areas of Islamabad, though themselves heavily protected behind thick concrete walls and guarded by armed guards, pose a grave threat to the life and property of the residents in their neighbourhood as terrorist attacks targeting them often misfire and cause deaths and injuries among unintended victims.
The relocation of these foreign missions from residential sectors to the Diplomatic Enclave has again been delayed as the Islamabad Capital Territory administration (ICT) and the Capital Development Authority (CDA) do not see eye to eye on the issue.
The heavily guarded fortresses located mostly in the posh F sectors of the capital are not only a cause of concern for the citizens but the barricades and concrete blocks placed to guard against terrorist attacks are a great inconvenience for the people. They not only block easy access to residents’ entrances but also obstruct free flow of traffic on the roads.
Chief Commissioner Tariq Mahmood Pirzada, when contacted said that there was no harm if the foreign missions are functioning in the residential areas of the city. Ignoring the security situation of the country, he said that all over the world, Pakistani diplomats are also living in residential areas.
Responding to a question, Pirzada said that in the wake of recent terrorist incidents in Quetta, Karachi and Peshawar, we recommended the diplomats to move to the much safer Diplomatic Enclave but, he said, “we cannot force our foreign guests”.
On the other hand, CDA describes foreign missions presence in residential sectors as violation of bylaws.
Officials from the civic authority pinpointed the foreign missions which are operating in residential areas in violation of the CDA bylaws. “The operation of diplomatic and security agencies offices in the residential areas is against by-laws,” a senior official of the civic agency said. He said that CDA had not been able to serve notices on the foreigners as it requires approval of the interior ministry and foreign ministry.
An official of the interior ministry, however, hoped that with the coordination of relevant quarters the issue would be resolved soon.
“With the passage of time many foreign embassies expended the strength of their staff due to which they hired private residences in residential areas for their staffers,” he added explaining the cause of increased diplomatic presence in the housing districts.
Moreover, CDA planning directorate officials said that plots are available in Diplomatic Enclave for these foreign missions.
At present, a large number of diplomats are residing in residential areas with the permission of Islamabad administration, added an official shifting the blame on the city administration.
“Yes we gave them permission and it is our responsibility to provide them security,” replied the Chief Commissioner, adding, “However we have also asked our foreign guests to shift to Diplomatic Enclave.”
A representative of Australian High Commission told The Express Tribune on Thursday that his mission was functioning inside Diplomatic Enclave.
Responding to a question regarding ‘private residence’ of Australian diplomats in sector E-7, he said that it was not a violation because relevant authorities allowed us for the same.
Besides, the embassies of Sweden, Belgium, Italy, Bangladesh, Thailand, Norway, Denmark and Afghanistan are also operating outside Diplomatic Enclave, CDA official said, adding that around 20 UN and EU missions are also operating in residential areas of the capital city.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 23rd, 2011.