Interior Minister calls for higher security in twin cities

Nisar orders ban on congregations in Islamabad, to strategise joint patrolling by police and Rangers.

ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar has asked the police and security agencies to pool their resources to fully secure the twin cities, Rawalpindi and Islamabad, and its residents in wake of the recently launched operation in the tribal areas.    

Nisar said this while chairing a meeting on Saturday to review the security situation of Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

He said that the sensitivity of the situation demands extra security measures and it is incumbent on the security agencies to fully secure public places and strategically important buildings.

The minister directed the top police officials to review the overall security of the federal capital with particular reference to entry and exit points and identification of sensitive buildings in order to take security measures accordingly.

He stressed that entry and exit points of both cities be put on high alert and surrounding areas be thoroughly searched on war footings and be cleared of any unlawful elements.

He said that the joint patrolling teams of Rangers and police have given a sense of security to the residents of Islamabad and directed to strategise this exercise to get its more optimum use.

All routes must be highly protected and special attention should be paid to un-conventional routes including jeep-able and pedestrian routes, according to Nisar.

In preview of the terrorist incident at Banga Sarkar shrine last night, the minister directed Commissioner Islamabad to ban congregations owing to threats because of the ongoing operation.

Nisar said that senior police officers need to inculcate the elements of responsibility and vigilance among the force in order to face the menace of terrorism as the country was facing a war-like situation.

PAT rally

The meeting also reviewed the security measures that are being taken for the arrival of Pakistan Awami Tehrik (PAT) chief Tahirul Qadri on June 23.

The minister stressed that the security plan be devised in such a manner that security of those participating in PAT’s rally and that of general public be ensured by means of better coordination between the administration and police of Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

He directed that security of other parts of twin cities be also ensured at this moment so that no unlawful element could take advantage of the situation and to keep in view the facilitation of the common public while keeping strict security measures intact.

Commissioner Rawalpindi, IG Islamabad and RPO Rawalpindi briefed Nisar regarding the security plan for twin cities and updated the latest measures that are being been taken at this moment.