American school may be closed down

Published August 14, 2002

ISLAMABAD, Aug 13: The administration of American International School has threatened to close down its institution, if the government fails to provide adequate security cover in the wake of recent terrorist attacks, an official source said.

The school administration held a session with the Interior Minister Moinuddin Haider on Tuesday and apprised him of their security concerns.

Shortly after the meeting, the chief commissioner and inspector general of police Islamabad went to the school and assured the administration that they should not worry as the police were taking all possible measures for their security.

The source said the school staff who was expected to return on August 15 have deferred their arrival for an indefinite period.

The school management held a meeting with the interior minister on Tuesday and expressed their security concerns.

The source said in view of the security concern shown by the American School administration ‘Black Tiger’ police squad had been formed and deployed at the school. The well-equipped squad will be stationed in the school building and also escort the school van during pick and drop service, the source said.

When a senior police official of Islamabad Capital Territory police was contacted, he confirmed the formation of Black Tiger squad and said that it was formed after the terrorist threat.

In another move, the secretary interior has sought explanation from the chief of Islamabad police (IGP) about allegations of misbehaviour and indifference of the police officials towards foreigners seeking security cover, the source said. The interior secretary’s move came after a diplomat complained that neither the capital police IGP nor the SSP responded when he expressed his security concerns and asked the police to take effective security measures, a source in the interior ministry said.

When a senior police officer was contacted, he confirmed that complaint had been lodged and the police had responded. “Unfortunately, the reply was missed somewhere in the mail”.

Diplomats in Islamabad have been advised to refrain from going to deserted places and offered to take police guards, if they so desire for their protection, following the recent attacks in Murree and Taxila.

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