RAWALPINDI, Nov 14: After the emergence of a post- Taliban scenario in neighbouring Afghanistan, the military authorities have asked the local civic agencies to take security measures in their respective jurisdictions.

The commander of 28 Brigade, Brig. Ali Raza presided over a meeting which was attended by the representatives of the three civic bodies including Rawalpindi Cantonment Board, Rawalpindi Development Authority and Rawalpindi Tehsil Municipal Administration.

The meeting took stock of the developments in Afghanistan and anticipated that the new situation evolved there might lead to sabotage activities in Pakistan. Brig. Ali Raza directed the heads of the civic agencies to remain red-alert and ensure security within their respective jurisdictions including bus and wagon stands, parks and busy bazaars.

The civic agencies, however, informed the meeting that security issue did not fall within the ambit of their authority “nor they have any force which can be deployed for the purpose,” inside sources told Dawn. The civic body’s responsibility is to provide people only the civic facilities like water, roads, streetlights, drainage etc, the sources said.

The commander 28 Brigade, however, asked them to ensure security within their office buildings, the sources said. “According to the sources the Brigadier told the meeting “You issue NOCs to the people, receive taxes from them and so its is incumbent upon you to ensure their security.”

“The Brigadier did not listen to our viewpoint. We are civic agencies and provide NOCs, approve buildings’ maps etc only from civic point of view. We have nothing to do with security. It is the responsibility of the police and the army,” an official who attended the meeting told Dawn.

Besides District Nazim Tariq Kiani others who attended the meeting included tehsil municipal officer, Col. Najamul Hassan Malik, additional chief executive officer, Hassan Akhtar Mirza of the Rawalpindi Cantonment Board, SSP Rawalpindi, SP city, SP Cantt and army officials.