September 29, 2008	Monday	Ramazan 28, 1429

KARACHI, Sept 28: With growing security threats to the president, the prime minister and key federal ministers in the wake of suicide bombings across the country, more and more resources are being spared for VVIP visits to the city.

But allocating such resources to VVIP movements means that the common complainant would not find the SHO at the police station and the DSP and even the SP in their respective offices, making the complainant to wait and come again even if he or she has taken a day off from work.

With former president Pervez Musharraf referred to in the past tense now, the responsibility of VVIP duties has fallen totally on the shoulders of the police and civilian agencies. During Musharraf’s time, the army’s special service group was primarily responsible for his inner security cordon.

But after attacks carried out against him in Rawalpindi, when an explosive-laden vehicle rammed against his cavalcade using the petrol stations as the launching pad, a new standard operating procedure (SOP) was developed.

Since that attack, all petrol stations were forced to close down and they were told to install special barriers at the entry and exit points of their premises during VVIP movements.

Till this day the SOP is being observed during the visit of democratically elected Prime Minister’s Yousuf Raza Gilani and President Asif Zardari’s visits to the city.

A record number of patients had died in their ambulances stuck in a traffic jam caused by former president Musharraf’s movement in the city. Even the idea of opening a separate access to the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre and other hospitals were floated during that time, but as it transpired it was only meant for public consumption.

Understandably, the police hierarchy must have been keen in devising a secure security plan for VVIP movements in view of the perceived security threats.

Intizam duty

But even during the movement of the acting president an elaborate ‘intizam’ duty is assigned.

Intizam duty practically means on that particular day no work takes place at least at the level of police station if it needs the involvement of the SHO. “Sahib Intizam duty per hai”, is the common reply a complainant gets. Similarly, Sahib may be the SHO, DSP or SP. It is not just an excuse, but a stark reality.

After performing VVIP duty, which often starts at 9am and ends at night, even the SHO cannot be expected to deliver to the public let alone the poor constable who braves the hot sun throughout the day, taking occasional cover of a tree or a lamppost.

He cannot leave his place for a cup of tea or to eat something as a slight neglect of duty could cost him his job.

Official data suggests that VVIP movements consume around 2,200 police personnel duty, starting at the funnel area of the airport, Sharea Faisal and up to the Bilawal House or the State Guest House.

As far as Sharea Faisal is concerned, around 1,800 policemen perform VVIP duty come rain or shine.

Similarly, at least 85 police mobiles from across the city report for VVIP duty from the 96 police stations of the city.

In addition, the SP’s jeep and the SPO’s mobile also take part in VVIP patrolling. After VVIP deployment, practically the main chunk of the police strength is consumed in the Intizam duty, policing for the rest of the city comes down to a mere formality.

Rangers’ role

An important officer in the Sindh government said the Rangers should be given a more active role in VVIP duties since they don’t have police stations to attend to. And they could perform their duty for longer hours without disturbing the policing of the rest of the city.

However, during the last visit of Asif Ali Zardari as president to Karachi, the presence of the Rangers was negligible along the VVIP route. And the entire arrangements were in the hands of the police.

If the option of the Rangers was not utilised, the authorities concerned should consider hiring more manpower that could be dedicated to VVIP duties as the issue could not be tackled as a stopgap arrangement, a source said.

At the tail-end, it is the common taxpayer who is suffering and as well as paying for the VVIP duties for the elected leadership of the country.