Security plan for schools reviewed

Rawalpindi

Security arrangements for educational institutions in Rawalpindi division were reviewed in detail in a meeting at the Commissioner's Office here on Monday.

Acting Commissioner Sajid Zafar along with RPO (Rawalpindi) Fakhar Sultan Raja presided over the meeting, which was attended by CPO (Rawalpindi) Israr Abbasi, ACs, DPOs, SDPOs, heads of government educational institutions, representatives of law enforcement agencies and officers of government departments. DCOs and DPOs of Attock, Jhelum and Chakwal districts joined the meeting through video link and updated about the security level of their respective districts in this regard. 

The acting commissioner, referring the directions of Punjab Chief Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif and decisions of meeting held at provincial level, said that the security plan for educational institutions would be fully implemented and any lapse found in observance of security measures would be dealt with accordingly. He said that the government has already communicated steps to be adopted to ensure foolproof security and if anybody failed to do so then they will be proceeded under the law and such educational institutions would be closed down. 

Sajid Zafar said that a detailed security audit of educational institutions had been conducted and security deficiencies were conveyed to the institutional management found contrary to the defined security parameters. He said all such institutional heads had been given deadline up to Thursday (January 28) to overcome the shortfalls otherwise they would not be allowed to continue their activities because nothing is paramount as compared to the lives of students. 

RPO (Rawalpindi) Fakhar Sultan Raja said teams of officers had been constituted to ensure the compliance of observing security measures in educational institutions. He said teams would check the boundary walls of educational institutions up to 8 feet, fixation of barbwire, establishment of watch towers, presence of trained armed guards, installation close circuit cameras and control room to monitor and recording of mobility, walkthrough gates, metal detectors, physical fitness of security staff and working condition of weapons. 

The RPO pointed out that proper screening must be carried out prior to opening of educational institutions every day in morning. He said employees and labour working in educational institutions should also be get security cleared. 

CPO Israr Abbasi said training courses had been started at the Police Lines, Rawalpindi, for security staff of educational institutions in which they would be trained in firing and proper response in case of an emergency situation.