Ensure foolproof security of media houses, campuses: Nisar

ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Nisar Ali Khan said on Thursday provision of security to educational institutions and media houses in the federal capital was being ensured by taking stakeholders on board.

He said it is our collective responsibility to make Islamabad safe and assure no educational institution and media house would be left unattended.The minister was chairing a meeting held here to review security arrangements for private educational institutes and their shifting from urban areas, media houses and other important buildings.

The meeting was attended by State Minister for Capital Administration Development Division (CADD) Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, Capital Development Authority Chairman Maroof Afzal, the Islamabad deputy commissioner, SSP  (Operations), SSP Security, Zonal SPs, representatives of private schools, media and business community and senior officers of the ministry.

Nisar directed the SSP to nominate a SP-level officer for security to work as a focal person and keep a liaison with representatives of media houses and educational institutes.Similarly, a focal person from CADD should also be nominated for the purpose.

The minister constituted a committee having representatives from private schools, Federal Directorate of Education, CADD and police which would submit its initial report within a month.With regard to security of media houses, he said there must be deployment of trained FC guards on each and every media house whether it is small or big and also announced arms licenses for media houses.

He said media houses should also nominate their security officers to ensure a liaison with police.To meet again after one month, he said a comprehensive security plan must be devised to provide security cover to educational institutions and media houses.

The minister said a chip system for vehicles would be introduced from next month and added it would help make Islamabad safe.He also mentioned the Safe City Islamabad Project which, he said, would help improve security. He said inept private security companies would not be allowed to operate.

Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry highlighted importance of security arrangements in educational institutions and said their security is a sensitive matter. He said safety measures were being adopted and conveyed to more than 350 schools providing education to more than 0.125 students.

Representatives of media houses suggested SoPs should be formed and trained security personnel should be deployed to improve security of their offices.Similarly, representatives of private schools suggested an amendment to CDA by-laws to allow them to have a share in plots allotted to government schools. They also demanded allotment of new plots in every sector at concessional rates.