ISLAMABAD, March 16: Air surveillance of the federal capital and surrounding areas will be carried out on the occasion of President Asif Ali Zardari's address to the joint session of the parliament on Saturday.

The air surveillance will start prior to the session and will continue till the dispersal of the participants. The surveillance helicopters will have two professional cameramen on board to record any unusual activity or movement and pass on the information to the quarters concerned.

This was decided at a high level meeting chaired by interior minister A Rehman Malik here Friday to review security arrangements for the joint session.

The meeting was attended by Secretary and additional secretary of the interior ministry, Director General National Crisis Management Cell (NCMC), Chief Commissioner, Inspector General Police, Deputy Commissioner and SSP Security Islamabad, and representatives of Rangers and Frontier Constabulary.

It was decided that in addition to strict security arrangements for the day, special parking arrangements for various dignitaries have been made in exclusive enclosures.

It was decided that security of Islamabad especially of the Red Zone will be beefed up and no visitor will be allowed to enter the area without the identity card. Extensive patrolling will be carried out around the parliament.

Comprehensive traffic plan will be evolved for Joint Session of the parliament with inbuilt mechanism for the search of the vehicles. PTV will indicate alternative routes for general public and particular routes for entry into parliament for the invitees.

Sniffer dogs will also be made available for checking any explosive material.

National Database and Registration Authority (Narda) will provide on line facility at the entry of parliament House, for verification of the computerised national identity cards (CNIC).

Opinion

The risk of escalation

The risk of escalation

The silence of the US and some other Western countries over the raid on the Iranian consulate has only provided impunity to the Zionist state.

Editorial

Saudi FM’s visit
Updated 17 Apr, 2024

Saudi FM’s visit

The government of Shehbaz Sharif will have to manage a delicate balancing act with Pakistan’s traditional Saudi allies and its Iranian neighbours.
Dharna inquiry
17 Apr, 2024

Dharna inquiry

THE Supreme Court-sanctioned inquiry into the infamous Faizabad dharna of 2017 has turned out to be a damp squib. A...
Future energy
17 Apr, 2024

Future energy

PRIME MINISTER Shehbaz Sharif’s recent directive to the energy sector to curtail Pakistan’s staggering $27bn oil...
Tough talks
Updated 16 Apr, 2024

Tough talks

The key to unlocking fresh IMF funds lies in convincing the lender that Pakistan is now ready to undertake real reforms.
Caught unawares
Updated 16 Apr, 2024

Caught unawares

The government must prioritise the upgrading of infrastructure to withstand extreme weather.
Going off track
16 Apr, 2024

Going off track

LIKE many other state-owned enterprises in the country, Pakistan Railways is unable to deliver, while haemorrhaging...