Security beefed up for foreigners in the city

Policemen to be deployed at mosques and imambargahs for Friday prayers

LAHORE: The Police Department has requested the provincial government and private companies to report to the police information about all foreigners employed with them in the city.

In a directive issued on Friday, the Foreigners Branch at the Capital City Police Office has been asked to regularly update its record of foreigners entering and leaving the city. The branch has also been directed to stay in contact with officials deputed with foreigners for their security.

The protocol director general will report to the police about foreigners present in the city to work for various provincial government projects.

Talking to The Express Tribune, Investigation DIG Rana Ayyaz Saleem said a comprehensive security plan had been devised for foreigners in view of recent terrorism incidents. He said the number of officials assigned security duties at their residences as well as workplaces had been increased.

Security for mosques, imambargahs

Strict security arrangements were made at major mosques and imambargahs across the city during Friday prayers.

Walkthrough gates were installed at the entrances to check people entering the premises. The entrances were also guarded by snipers. Investigation DIG Rana Ayyaz Saleem told The Express Tribune that the investigation and operations wings of the police were working together to ensure foolproof security arrangements in the city during Ramazan. He said a plan had been developed for security arrangements for the month and officials warned that negligent behaviour would not be tolerated. CCPO Capt (retd) Amin Wains also directed officials to utilise the services of volunteers from the beat safety committees if there was a shortage of officials needed to implement the security plan for mosques and imambargahs. He was speaking at a meeting to review performance of administrative officers. Badruzzaman, caretaker of the Hajveri Complex, said also invited to the meeting to deliver a lecture on compassion and good behaviour.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 20^th, 2015.