Tanker owners strike a security deal with Sindh police

Law enforcers to provide cover to vehicles carrying Nato supply in Sindh.

KARACHI: In view of the reopening of Nato supply routes and the security fears of tanker owners, the Sindh police have offered their help to provide security to the vehicles in the province, The Express Tribune has learnt.

The tanker owners are fearful of being attacked by religious extremists, who are against the resumption of the supplies to the Nato forces fighting in Afghanistan. Hundreds of tankers and trailers have already been attacked and torched while their drivers and helpers were either killed or tortured by militants in the country.

This was decided at a meeting of representatives of All Pakistan Oil Tanker Owners Association (APOTOA) and the Sindh police officials at the Sindh Inspector General of Police’s office on Thursday.

DIG Naeem Borkha told The Express Tribune that at the meeting, the oil tanker owners were advised to install trackers in their vehicles so that their exact positions can be known.

It was also decided that two terminals will be built in Sindh where drivers can park their vehicles and can have food. “The police will provide them security at these terminals,” he added.

The Nato supply is expected to resume during the next week and the police will have to find some ways to protect the oil tankers.

“We will deploy police mobiles at the terminals in Karachi where these oil tankers are filled,” said Borkha. “The district police officers will be responsible to provide safe passage to the vehicles within their respective areas.”

Israr Ahmed Shinwari, the APOTOA spokesman, said that the Sindh police have assured the oil tanker owners of full security within the province. “In Karachi, the police will deploy 16 mobiles for the smooth and undisturbed movement of the tankers,” he said.

“We are satisfied with the security assurance by the inspector general and are thankful to the Sindh police,” he added.

Shinwari said that the oil tankers are ready to carry oil to Afghanistan, but the state-run oil marketing company has not called them to fill up their vehicles.

More meetings to discuss the security issues are expected to be held between the representatives of APOTOA associated with the Nato supply and the chief ministers of the other three provinces.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 6^th, 2012.