KARACHI, March 3: Strict action would be taken against the private security agencies being operated without a valid licence, Adviser to the Chief Minister on Home Waseem Akhtar said, adding that owners of such illegal agencies could be arrested.

He was presiding over a meeting of the All Pakistan Private Securities Agencies Association (APPSAA) held in his office to review the performance of security agencies with reference to the involvement of some private security guards in certain criminal cases reported recently.

Special Home Secretary Rashid Alam and APPSAA Chairman Maj (r) Muneer Ahmed, Vice Chairman Maj (r) Syed Kazim Raza, and members of the Association’s executive committee Maj (r) Haroon Maqsood and S.M. Rehman, besides Finance Secretary Mohammad Umar Haider, were among those who attended the meeting.

Mr Akhtar said that the private security agencies operating without a licence were ‘security risk’. “If anyone of the 177 guards sacked by the security agencies for their alleged involvement in criminal activities is appointed by any agency, action would be taken against both the company and the guard,” he warned.

He said life, property and respect of citizens was of foremost importance for the government.

He observed that highly educated youths of Sindh were indulging in criminal activities because of being jobless and the only way to check the trend was to ensure provision of jobs to such people.

He stressed the need for making private security agencies job-oriented organizations, and said rules and regulations of the agencies should be modified accordingly. The agencies’ representatives welcomed the proposal and pledged to workout the same.

Mr Akhtar suggested that security agencies should offer employment to those who were permanent residents of the city and province irrespective of their race and relations.

He said the government would extend full cooperation to security agencies for the approval and establishment of a training institute for guards.

The meeting was informed that 115 out of a total of 170 agencies were registered with the PPSAA whereas the remaining ones would be registered with immediate effect.—PPI