The capital police have detected flaws in the security arrangements for the Diplomatic Enclave.

The flaws were pointed out during a survey conducted by the police to enhance the security and avoid any untoward incident in the area.

On the light of the survey, recommendations have been made to improve the security, senior police officers told Dawn. But they added that lack of funds was hampering efforts to ensure foolproof security in the area. The police always looked to foreign missions for enhancing security measures and improving police structure and skills. The officers said some foreign missions were again being approached for financial assistance to upgrade the security arrangements in the enclave.

The survey recommended an immediate repair of the boundary wall of the enclave which was found damaged at several points. It also recommended raising the height of the wall and installing barbed wires on it.

It was also recommended that an electric fence should be installed around the enclave and the barbed wires should be electrified.

Electrified fences have already been installed in some of the buildings in the enclave.

There were no CCTV cameras around the enclave and those installed at some places were not working, the survey showed, suggesting that security cameras should be installed on the walls and in every street.

The setting up of a monitoring room was also suggested where security personnel would be deployed to keep an eye on people entering the area with the help of CCTV cameras.

Night-vision security cameras should also be installed at the entry and exit points along the boundary wall.

At many places inside the enclave, there was also no lighting system. The survey also recommended the removal of a forest adjacent to the enclave in coordination with the Capital Development Authority (CDA). The removal of the thick forest may draw criticism from environmentalists and civil society, the police officers said. But they were of the view that the security of the enclave was more important than the environment-related concerns.

There are also some nullahs flowing into the enclave from outside and the installation of iron fences was also recommended at the entry and exit points of these watercourses.

Besides, a police post should also be set up at the open area of the nullahs inside the enclave to keep an eye on trespassers.

Patrolling of police inside and along the enclave should also be enhanced, the survey recommended. The construction of a track was also recommended alongside the wall of the enclave where the security personnel would patrol.

Majority of the posts inside and outside the enclave were lying vacant due to the shortage of manpower.

The survey also showed that officials available for the security of the enclave were not well trained.

Efforts were in progress to arrange training for the officials at the Police Lines Headquarters and help was sought from foreign missions. Likewise, private guards available with the foreign missions also needed training. The survey also recommended verification of the private security guards attached with the foreign missions.

The setting up of checkposts was also recommended at Third Avenue and Quaid-i-Azam University Chowk to search vehicles and pedestrians.

Published in Dawn, December 8th, 2014