ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan directed police and security agencies to gear up their resources to fully secure twin cities Rawalpindi-Islamabad and its residents in wake of the Zarb-i-Azb operation against militants in North Waziristan.

The minister said this while chairing a meeting on Saturday to review the security situation of Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

The meeting was attended by Secretary Interior, NC National Counter-Terrorism Authority (Nacta), Director General Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), Chief Commissioner Islamabad, Commissioner Rawalpindi, Inspector General (IG) Islamabad police, Regional Police Officer (RPO) and City Police Officer (CPO) Rawalpindi and Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Islamabad.

He said that sensitivity of the situation demanded extra security measures and it was incumbent on security agencies to fully secure public places and strategically important buildings.

Nisar directed police high ups to review the overall security of the federal capital with particular reference to entry and exit points and identification of sensitive buildings in order to adopt security measures accordingly.

The minister stressed that entry and exit points of both cities be put on high alert and areas surrounding the federal capital and Rawalpindi be thoroughly searched, adding that they should be cleared of any unlawful elements.

He said that joint patrolling teams of Rangers and police had given a sense of security to the residents of Islamabad and directed them to strategise this exercise to get optimum use.

Chaudhry Nisar also added that all routes must be highly protected and added that special attention must be paid to unconventional routes, including jeep-able and pedestrian routes.

In preview of last night’s terrorist incident at Chan Pir Darbar, the minister directed Commissioner Islamabad to impose a ban on all congregations as the level of threat was high because of the ongoing operation.

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Nisar said that senior police officers needed to ensure that the police force was responsible and vigilant in order to fight the menace of terrorism.

The meeting also reviewed the security measures that were being adopted over the arrival of Pakistan Awami Tehreek (Pat) chief Tahirul Qadri on June 23.

The minister stressed that security of those participating in the Pat rally and that of general public be ensured by means of better coordination between the administration and police of Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

He said that security of other parts of the twin cities should also be strengthened so that no criminal element could take advantage of the situation.

The minister said that the public should not be inconvenienced as a result of adopting strict security measures.

Meanwhile, Commissioner Rawalpindi, IG Islamabad and RPO Rawalpindi briefed the minister regarding the security plan for the twin cities.