July 20, 2007	Friday	Rajab 04, 1428

ISLAMABAD, July 19: The government in a bid to protect its officials from becoming possible targets of terrorists has decided that most official cars would move in disguise, sources in the ministry of interior said on Thursday.

Official cars would now use decoy private numbers instead of the original green government registration plates. Similarly, army sources have revealed that high-ranking officials have been told to remove stars and other markings from their vehicles, as once the source of privilege these have turned into a cause of vulnerability.

Such procedures have previously been successfully used by foreign missions and international NGOs.

Meanwhile, the government has sought security details from high ranking officials. A pro forma circulated in this regard seeks details of residence, security deployed there, family particulars and information about their sect.

A security advisory has also been issued to diplomats who have been asked to restrict their activities and coordinate their movements with the authorities.

These initiatives come amidst the wave of suicide bombings that has gripped the country in the aftermath of the Lal Masjid operation. The terrorists, except for the attack on the venue of the chief justice’s address at a lawyers convention in Islamabad, have mostly targeted the law-enforcement agencies and government installations.

The federal capital has been put on high alert and pickets manned by police and Rangers have been set up in different parts of the city.

Interior ministry spokesman Brig (retired) Javed Iqbal Cheema said the government was trying its best to control the wave of terrorism in the country. However, he denied specific instructions for removing the government registration plates from official vehicles.