Traders' 'harassment' prompts probe

RAWALPINDI:

The Ministry of Interior has ordered an inquiry after taking notice of complaints that businessmen were being stopped at checkpoints in Islamabad and their security guards were searched despite the sensitive internal security situation.

Complaints also included registration of cases against guards of private security companies.

Following complaints from trader leaders, a prominent businessman, Hassan Nawaz Khokhar, was reportedly stopped at the Faisal Mosque checkpoint the other day.

He was allegedly kept waiting at the checkpoint for a long time in the name of checking. His guards from a registered security company were arrested and a case was registered against them over incomplete travel documents.

Mr Khokhar lodged detailed complaints with senior authorities regarding the incident.

According to the complaint, his guard was stopped at the checkpoint and he was sent home without security, which could pose security risks.

The dispute at the Faisal Mosque checkpoint reportedly continued for a long time before the guards were arrested and he was allowed to leave without security.

Traders complained that if there were deficiencies in security guards' documents, action should be taken against the security company instead.