ISLAMABAD, Nov 3: With the security situation deteriorating and the threat to vital installations remaining a constant source of worry, the police seem to be resisting plans of extending the Red Zone, Dawn has learnt.

The idea of extending the Red Zone had come from none other than the Interior Minister Rehman Malik.

Earlier, the minister had directed to extend the Red Zone from Ataturk Avenue 5 to Ataturk Avenue 6 — commonly known as Embassy Road.

The motive behind the extension was to do away with the security barriers, especially those impeding entrances to hotels, where tourists and foreign dignitaries stay.

If the extension had gone through, according to the Secretariat police, the new Red Zone would have been divided into three police stations – Secretariat, Aabpara and Kohsar – and two circles – Secretariat and City.

As a result, the responsibility of the security arrangements would have been evenly divided among three Station House Officers (SHO) and two Sub-Divisional Police Officers, instead of just one SHO.

Presently the Red Zone falls under the jurisdiction of a single police station: the Secretariat.

The police have demanded that instead of extending the Red Zone, more manpower should be added to an area already clogged with security personnel.

On the other hand, senior police officials have asked the Secretariat Police and in-charge Red Zone, an inspector level officer, to consult each other and reply either in favour or against the decision.

The consultations are ongoing but the police seem more bent towards increasing manpower, instead of extending the Red Zone.

The Secretariat police have already demanded more manpower for the Red Zone. The sectioned strength of Red Zone is 279 policemen — four inspectors, 18 sub-inspectors (SI), 32 assistant sub-inspectors (ASI), 40 head constables (HC), and 185 constables.

But only 189 policemen – an inspector, nine SIs, 17 ASIs, 19 HCs and 144 constables are deployed in and around the Red Zone due to shortage of manpower.

The police have requested to double the sanctioned strength for better security arrangements or at least complete the approved manpower.

It is pertinent to mention that the Red Zone is located in the limits of Secretariat Police Station and houses vital installations, including Diplomatic Enclave, Presidency, Prime Minister House and Secretariat, Supreme Court, Pakistan Secretariat, Foreign Office and the Parliament.