KARACHI, Oct 3: Twenty-seven security companies in the province have remained involved in illegal activities and four of them have already been blacklisted.

This was stated at a meeting, presided over by the Sindh governor Dr Ishratul Ibad, at the Governor’s House on Tuesday.

In the meeting, the governor asked the Sindh home department to prepare recommendations within a month to bring the system of private security companies into an effective mainstream.

The governor felt said that security companies play an important role in security affairs but their monitoring and accountability is a must.

The governor emphasized that the criteria of recruitment of security guards in these companies be made clear.

Advisor of Sindh chief minster on home affairs Waseem Akhter, City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal, principal secretary Mohammad Saleem Khan, IGP Jahangir Mirza, special secretary Javed Hanif, CPLC chief Sharfuddin Memon and Security Companies Association's representative attended the meeting.

Provincial home secretary Brig (Retd) Ghulam Mohammad Muhtaram informed the meeting about current situation of security companies across the province.

The governor further instructed setting up of a separate section in the home department to oversee matters regarding security companies and to establish a monitoring and evaluation team to check their performance.

Speaking about implication of guards of some security companies in robberies and crimes, he impressed upon making essential amendments to the ordinance about security companies so as to stop such incidents in future.

Dr Ibad asked for portraying this field as attractive future for youth instead of recruiting retired and aged people.

In this context, he instructed for drafting measurements, like fixation of salaries, education and training and accommodating in the existing rules and regulations.

He also directed that the data of all security companies be computerised and it should be updated after every 15 days.

He directed the All-Pakistan Private Security Agencies Association, police and the home department to work jointly work for a better and result-oriented system.

The meeting was informed that 146 security companies existed in the province employing 55,000 men as security guards.

Meanwhile, new consul-general of Germany Hans Jaochim Kiderlen called on Dr Ishratul Ibad at Governor House. He spent some time with the governor and discussed various important issues.

Former Sindh Chief Minister Sardar Ali Mohammad Ali Mahar and Fatima Suriya Bajia also called on the governor, separately.

Bachat Bazaar: The governor will inaugurate the Eid Bachat Baazar here on Wednesday at SITE Stadium.

The bazaar is now a regular annual feature organized by SITE Association of Industry. Dozens of industrial concerns have established stalls. A large number of consumer items besides fabrics and stitched clothes would be on sale at reduced prices.

Thousands of citizens visit the bazaar every year as most of the items are offered for sale at ex-factory price or even lower, said Amin Bundukda, Chairman, SITE Association of Industry, anticipating an overwhelming response from potential buyers.

—APP