September 27, 2008	Saturday	Ramazan 26, 1429

ISLAMABAD, Sept 26: Foreign diplomats in Pakistan expressed concerns over security arrangements for their missions and called for increased security around their embassies and residences.

The concern was expressed during a meeting Adviser to the Prime Minister Rehman Malik held with about 120 diplomats.

The meeting was convened at the request of diplomats in the wake of the Marriott Hotel suicide bombing.

Stressing the need for better security in and around the capital’s Diplomatic Enclave where 35 embassies are located, the diplomats said that some foreign missions had closed their visa sections and their governments had issued travel advisories because of their concerns for the safety of their diplomats.

The government has already asked foreign missions located in residential areas to immediately shift to the diplomatic compound. It may be mentioned that several emabssies have acquired plots in the compound but are yet to build their missions.

Officials informed the diplomats about a plan for a new diplomatic compound on which the Capital Development Authority had started working. It would be completed by next year.

The meeting was briefed by Rehman Malik and Secretary Interior Syed Kamal Shah.

They said that a committee formed by the prime minister after the Marriott blast was working out a new new security strategy.

A senior official of the interior ministry said that foreign diplomats were satisfied with the security measures taken by the government.

“They were particularly sensitised about the ongoing plans to enhance the security of both the federal capital and the diplomatic community,” the official said.