Security move: K-P govt issues fresh directives to foreigners

Foreigners, accompanying locals to inform authorities of their travel arrangements 15 days prior to visits.

PESHAWAR:

The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government has issued fresh travel directives to foreigners and accompanying locals.

A notification to this effect was issued by the Home and Tribal Affairs Department on Sunday.

According to the notification, all foreigners including diplomats as well as locals working for international and national non-governmental organisations (INGOS, NGOs) are required to give details of their travel arrangements to the department 15 days prior to their visit to security-risk areas.

The areas include Swat, Upper and Lower Dir, Shangla, Buner, Malakand, Chitral, Dera Ismail Khan division, Tank, Hangu and Kohat division.

They are required to mention the nature of visit, details of the area of stay, travel schedule, dates of arrival and departure along with full name, passport number, nationality and national identity card number (for local officials). The department has also sought the details of their mode of conveyance, which include the colour and registration number of their vehicle, name of the driver and whoever will be accompanying the foreigners during the visit.

The notification states that the step has been taken to ensure safety of the foreigner visitors during the journey and to provide them security clearance along with police contingents cover.

All the foreigners are requested to send their request “in black and white” through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Islamabad, whereas local accompanying officials are requested to inform the head offices of INGO and NGOs.

The department had previously directed the provincial police officials to take steps regarding movement of foreigners in the province, especially in restricted areas, without permission. The earlier notification had directed that all foreign nationals in restricted areas who do not have No Objection Certificate (NOC) from their concerned office should be sent back to their original location with respect.

Foreign missions were allowed to use alternative number plates for security purpose; however, recent incidents have shown that certain missions continue to use fake number plates in violation of the rules and putting their lives at risk, the statement read. The department directed that necessary action be taken against any such violator.

The notification stated that some missions have added rear gun-parts after modifying their bullet-proof vehicles. It termed these modifications a violation of rules and stated that such violations could lead to impounding of the vehicle.

The department has further informed the foreign mission to submit security request through the foreign office, instead of directly approaching the provincial police.

Published in The Express Tribune, 25^th, 2012.