One-way: Closed Civil Secretariat gate becoming logistical nightmare

Officials say decision was made in interest of public safety

PESHAWAR: In a bid to improve security at the Civil Secretariat, the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government recently closed its Saddar Road gate. The decision is being criticised by many employees.

The closure was announced in February. Home department officials mentioned that closing this gate was among a series of measures the government was taking to prevent organised assaults alias to the Army Public School (APS) attack. The official added these security measures were a necessity with the current circumstances, especially within Peshawar’s red zone – which includes the Civil Secretariat.

An everyday chore

Administrative officials dealing with the matter say that the gate was closed to cover-up shortcomings in security measures for government installations at the secretariat. “This was the shortest and easiest way to control the traffic of hundreds of employees and visitors coming not only from Saddar, but also from Charsadda, Mardan and Nowshera,” said Muhammad Fazil, an employee of the Civil Secretariat. “Now, visitors and employees have only a single entrance, near Central Prison Peshawar, which is too narrow and occupied. With everybody leaving work at the same time, it gets extremely congested.”

An employee of the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) complained, “I was not permitted to get into the premises at night during my 24-hour shift for the earthquake relief operation. I had to walk across Edwardes College and entered the Secretariat through a side gate at Central Police Office (CPO).”

Another senior official of the administrative department, also unhappy with the decision, spoke to The Express Tribune. He said the problem needs to be highlighted. “The authorities are locking up employees and barring visitors from coming in to the Civil Secretariat which serves as headquarters for all important government functionaries,” the official said, requesting anonymity.

He added, “That was the most convenient way for people who use public transport because all other gates are too far from public transit routes.” The official said police have also opted to close the gate to reduce their work. “Our department’s secretary is unaware of the step.”

The opposing view

Police personnel deployed at the gate reported that they received orders from the higher authority to lock gates on Saddar Road. “We have to obey orders and three of our men are still on duty at the gates despite being locked,” said a policeman who used to guard the gate before it was closed. An administration official said, “We are not hurting the employees or visitors. This was done in the interest of the public since this gate was vulnerable and a weak point.” He added security forces, after conducting a mock emergency exercise, intend to use the gate closure to improve security in the area.

“This is an important government installation and we come across multiple threats. It is my responsibility to take care of it,” said Haroon. He added that security forces, including the elite police, Pakistan Army and Frontier Constabulary, identified loopholes and shortcomings in security measures of the secretariat. Regarding the problems for employees using public transport, he said that they were provided with an alternative route. “We cannot jeopardise the lives of hundreds of people for the few that are unhappy with it [the decision].”

Published in The Express Tribune, November 22^nd, 2015.