ISLAMABAD, Dec 30: Interior Minister Rehman Malik on Sunday suspended all permissions to carry weapons in the Islamabad capital territory on the eve of the New Year.

The decision was taken at a meeting held to review security arrangements in the federal capital on the New Year. The minister directed that foolproof security arrangements should be made for Diplomatic Enclave and for diplomats living in other parts of the city.

He said all hotels should be asked to adopt strengthened security measures for entry of guests to attend different functions. The police should also arrange foolproof security for the New Year functions, he added.

He said all guesthouses should be checked against presence of miscreants and for any unlawful activity. Entry in the Red Zone should be allowed only on production of computerised national identity cards. Police must enhance patrolling around hotels, Diplomatic Enclave and areas where foreigners are living, he said.

The minister directed the police to enhance its vigilance at all the entry points and keep the Quick Reaction Force (QRF) at a standby to meet any untoward situation. “Police must not interfere in any private gathering/function arranged for the New Year as long as the orginisers remain under the norms of the law and Pakistani traditions,” said the minister.

The police were also directed not to allow any firework near any sensitive building or sacred places and in the Red Zone. The route to Damn-i-Koh and Monal (Pir Sohawah) should be monitored and protected for the security of the commuters, he said.

ATTOCK: The Attock police have finalised a security plan for the New Year’s eve to check criminal activities particularly firing into the air, use of firecrackers and wheeling.

The six police circles and SHOs of all the 14 police stations have been directed to ensure foolproof security arrangements in their respective areas. Special police teams would be deployed at all important public places, shopping centres and main markets across the district.

The traffic police have also been directed to take action against those found doing wheelies.

Moreover, in order to check any terrorist activity, the bomb disposal squad and Recsue 1122 would remain on a standby and all the SHOs would maintain a close coordination with them.