Separate force for diplomats soon

The interior ministry decided to form a separate force for the protection of foreign diplomats residing in Islamabad.

The interior ministry has decided to form a separate force for the protection of foreign diplomats residing in the federal capital. The decision was taken at a meeting held under the chairmanship of Interior Minister Rehman Malik.

The meeting was briefed over the security measures taken to protect foreigners, an official told The Express Tribune. “Malik was of the view that security should be strengthened as there were threats to foreigners in the country,” the official said.

Inspector General (IG) Islamabad Kaleem Imam and Chief Commissioner Islamabad Tariq Pirzada briefed the minister about measures taken recently for foolproof security of the diplomats.

After the briefing, Malik asked IG Islamabad to submit an evaluation report for a new force to be constituted for the protection of diplomats.

The official said that the force would also be responsible to guard VVIP routes and foreign dignitaries visiting the capital from time to time.

He said: “Initially the force is planned to comprise at least 1,000 security men to make it effective.” The official said the force would work under the command of IG Islamabad.

He added: “Highly qualified instructors will train the members of this force so that they could respond timely to any adverse situation.”

Another source said that different diplomats have been visiting the foreign minister’s office, expressing reservations over security measures. He said, “Some ambassadors have left Islamabad as security measures were not taken up to their satisfaction”.

He said that such moves by foreigners were creating an embarrassing situation for the Foreign Office as the competence of our law-enforcement agencies was under question. He said, “The establishment of separate force for foreign diplomats will help to put an end to their reservations”.

The source said that 43 platoons of Frontier Constabulary (FC) have already been deployed at the diplomatic enclave in addition to more than 4,500 policemen. He said, “The deployment of FC men is of special mention since each of the platoons consists of 45 personnel”.

The official said Malik also ordered to ensure measures for shrines’ and imambargahs’ security in the wake of recent bombing in Lahore. “Any negligence on the part of police and district administration would not be tolerated in this connection,” the source quoted the minister as saying.

He said that Malik ordered for walkthrough gates and presence of police contingent at the sacred place.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 22^nd, 2010.