Security plan: Police have it under control says city police chief

KARACHI:

Sindh government claims to have an extensive security plan that is put in place in case of emergencies.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, the provincial home secretary Dr Niaz Ali Abbasi explained that their contingency plan divides the city into separate zones.

"The government maintains a blue book which lists the security detail of important landmarks, high-profile personalities, politicians, cabinet members, dignitaries, diplomatic missions and vital installations." He added that the police and Rangers are the first line of defence in such situations, while the army is on standby in case the situation worsens.

"More than 19,000 cops can be deployed in case of emergency at various places and rooftops," Dr Abbasi revealed. "The Rangers and police vans can patrol the roads with close coordination of the armed forces."

The most sensitive areas, in terms of the security arrangements, are located in district South which houses the premises of several diplomatic missions, as well as other important installations. This area is called the 'red zone'. South DC Jamal Mustafa Qazi said that they have not only devised a special security plan for the red zone but also updated it with the passage of time. "All roads leading to the [British] consulate were sealed while a large contingent of police, Rangers, and Frontier Constabulary personnel were deployed there as an added security measure." He added that the army could be called in if the situation worsened.

On the other hand, Karachi's police chief Ghulam Qadir Thebo maintained that the police and Rangers were well able to control the law and order situation in the city. While he refused to share details of the security plan, he assured that the police will not allow the situation to go out of hand. "Karachi Police is capable of handling the situation and will not let anyone to disturb the peace," he stressed. "We will establish the writ of the government come what may."

Published in The Express Tribune, June 4^th, 2014.