Comprehensive plan: Army to supervise security for Xi’s visit

Some 1,000 police officers will be deputed in capital on designated routes

ISLAMABAD: Administration and police officials in the federal capital claimed to have mapped out a comprehensive plan for security ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s April 20-21 visit to the country, a police official said on Saturday.

Over 1,000 police officers will be deputed in the capital primarily on the designated routes. It is the army though that will handle overall security during the high-profile visit, the police official said. For its part the police has cancelled the leave applications of all officials and instructed all personnel to ensure their presence in the field.

Last year, the Chinese president cancelled his original plan to visit Pakistan owing to anti-government demonstrations in Islamabad and elsewhere against alleged rigging in the 2013 elections. However, President Xi promised to make the trip to the country at a later date.

The official said that a 15-member Chinese team had already visited in the capital ahead of Xi Jinping’s visit to Pakistan to take care of his security. Inspector General of Police (IGP) Islamabad, Tahir Alam Khan directed all zonal SPs, SDPOs and SHOs to enhance patrolling in their respective areas and conduct search operations in slum areas.

Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP) has also issued a detailed traffic plan for the city and total of 416 wardens will be on duty during the two days. Several major routes will be closed for traffic. Heavy traffic will be barred from entering the city while light traffic will be diverted to alternative routes at a number of points.

ITP has also appealed to the public to avoid unnecessary travel during the two days and to cooperate with traffic officials.

An official said that the administration was considering declaring a two-day holiday in the city. But until now no decision has been taken by the the secretary at the interior ministry in this regard. The official said that 60 per cent of the staff in different ministries and government offices may be allowed leave during the visit.

The Chinese president will attend a joint session of parliament and important agreements in different fields will be signed during the visit.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 19^th, 2015.