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ISLAMABAD, July 12: A law aimed at regulating the private security agencies is on the anvil and likely to be promulgated soon, an interior ministry source said.
It would be an all encompassing law and address all the related issues of arms and uniform being used by the guards of these myriad security agencies, the source said.
The law will prescribe a common uniform for all the guards of these agencies, operating all over the country, he said.
A draft law has already been sent to the provincial governments for their comments, he added.
The recent spectre of terrorism is a major factor behind the introduction of the law so as to regulate these agencies. “One cannot rule out the use of arms carried by the guards in any subversive activity,” the source said.
Most of these agencies, which have been formed by the retired army officers, have employed retired soldiers of the Pakistan Army. Almost 90 per cent staff of these agencies comprises retired soldiers and jawans of the army and other forces, an employee of a security agency said.
However barring only one exception, none of these agencies have been following labour or other concerning laws.
“The wages offered by these agencies to the security guards, performing high risk and very demanding jobs, are very low,” he said.
A retired army soldier is paid Rs2,000 to Rs2,800 per month and a civilian guard is paid Rs1,800 to 2,400 a month, he added. The guards, who are supposed to keep vigil at least 12 hours a day, have no leave, medical or transport facilities. These guards are paid overtime at a rate of Rs10 an hour, he said.
APP ADDS: The chief commissioner has constituted a regulatory committee to monitor and regulate the performance of registered private security companies operating in the Capital.
The committee has been constituted as per provisions of the Islamabad Capital Territory Private Security Companies Ordinance (VII of 2001) and Private Security Companies Rules, 2001, official sources told the agency here.
The regulatory body will consist of local administration including director, district magistrate, senior superintendent of police, AIG/special branch and start functioning with immediate effect.
According to sources, the regulatory committee will be assisted by a subcommittee consisting of magistrate (Saddar), magistrate (City) and AIG/special branch.
The subcommittee will carry out inspection of at least two private security companies once a week and will submit its report to the chairman.
This report will be examined in a monthly meeting to be held on the first Tuesday of each month presided over by the chairman of the regulatory body.
The subcommittee will ensure that private security companies are organizing training for their security guards from the institutes including Fauji Foundation, Askari Guards (Pvt) Ltd, National Police Foundation and Provincial Police Training Institute approved by the Ministry of Interior.
It will also ensure that these companies are giving standardized training to their security guards for which the SSP, Islamabad, has been requested to evolve a training course for security guards in the light of syllabus approved by the Ministry of Interior.
The syllabus has already been forwarded to all private security companies and concerned authorities with directions to ensure standardized training.
The regulatory body will inspect arm licences and weapons issued to the these companies from the ICT administration.
It will also be responsible for checking and redressal of complaints received against the companies.
The body will ensure checking of monthly security clearance certificate of the guards issued by the AIG and special branch.
It will ensure that salaries of the guards are in commensurate with the minimum wages fixed by the government and are paid regularly. The guards are educated, are not aged, do not work long hours or employed on part-time basis.
It will verify the office addresses of the security companies and check the payment of various prescribed fees which include federal government fee of Rs10,000, ICT administration fee of Rs25,000 and annual renewal fee of Rs5,000 .
