Security protocol for VIPs, senior bureaucrats slashed

Published October 21, 2021
Police mobiles escort a VIP car in this file photo. ─ AFP
Police mobiles escort a VIP car in this file photo. ─ AFP

ISLAMABAD: The government on Wednesday slashed the security protocol for VIPs and senior bureaucrats under a decision taken by the federal cabinet, Dawn has learnt.

Sources in the police told Dawn that security cover to those VIPs who had been facing specific security threats would remain intact. No decision had been taken so far for cutting down the security cover of judges of superior judiciary, they added.

The VIPs include federal ministers, advisers, chairman and deputy chairman of Senate, speaker and deputy speaker of National Assembly and judges of superior judiciary. Senior bureaucrats include secretaries of ministries.

“The local police give security by dep­lo­ying gunmen with them,” the sources said, adding that Rangers were also deployed with a few VIPs for their security.

The sources said the number of security personnel given to the VIPs and senior bureaucrats had been reduced to the authorised number of security personnel mentioned in the Blue Book. According to the Blue Book, each VIP is entitled to only two police guards, either on static duty at their homes or moving along with them.

Majority of the VIPs and senior bureaucrats had more security personnel than they were entitled to, the sources said.

In this way dozens of police guards were withdrawn from the VIPs and senior bureaucrats.

Earlier, the Cabinet Division decided to withdraw security personnel over and above the authorised number from the VIPs and directed the interior ministry to implement it, the sources said. In response the ministry asked the inspector general of Islamabad police to implement the order in letter and spirit.

Senior Superin­tendent of Police, Security Division, Dr Khurram Rashid, told Dawn that the security of the VIPs had been rationalised in accordance with the decision of the Cabinet Decision.

A threat assessment committee examined threats to the VIPs and as per it decision, security cover — police guards — was given to them, he added.

Published in Dawn, October 21st, 2021

Opinion

Editorial

Smog hazard
Updated 05 Nov, 2024

Smog hazard

The catastrophe unfolding in Lahore is a product of authorities’ repeated failure to recognise environmental impact of rapid urbanisation.
Monetary policy
05 Nov, 2024

Monetary policy

IN an aggressive move, the State Bank on Monday reduced its key policy rate by a hefty 250bps to 15pc. This is the...
Cultural power
05 Nov, 2024

Cultural power

AS vital modes of communication, art and culture have the power to overcome social and international barriers....
Disregarding CCI
Updated 04 Nov, 2024

Disregarding CCI

The failure to regularly convene CCI meetings means that the process of democratic decision-making is falling apart.
Defeating TB
04 Nov, 2024

Defeating TB

CONSIDERING the fact that Pakistan has the fifth highest burden of tuberculosis in the world as per the World Health...
Ceasefire charade
Updated 04 Nov, 2024

Ceasefire charade

The US talks of peace, while simultaneously arming and funding their Israeli allies, are doomed to fail, and are little more than a charade.