RAWALPINDI, March 31: Fearing a possible terrorist attack on the Australian High Commission, the local security agencies have been asked to strengthen security for diplomats and foreign missions, an official source said on Monday.

He said the Foreign Office had issued directives of tightening security at the Australian high commission after the mission demanded of the Pakistani authorities to increase protection of their diplomatic staff.

Australia is part of the coalition forces taking part in the war on Iraq.

In another move, police in plain clothes have been deployed at American fast food chains in Rawalpindi and Islamabad, suspecting possible retaliation to the US-led attack on Iraq.

In view of the US reports that terrorists disguised as beggars could target westerners in Pakistan, Islamabad police have launched a crackdown on beggars and vendors.

A source said all SHOs and SPs had been asked to increase patrolling in their respective areas and pick up beggars seen on roads, especially roaming around cars that stop at traffic signals.

Police have also been directed to keep vigil on beggars and vendors, wandering in shopping areas and busy streets in Islamabad, the source added.

Meanwhile, about two dozen people staged a protest demonstration against attack on Iraq outside an American fast food outlet on Adamjee Road, Saddar, on Monday.

Protesters, carrying placards inscribed with anti-US slogans, urged people to boycott US-made products.

The demonstrators gathered in front of the fast food outlet at about 6:30pm and dispersed peacefully after two hours, witnesses said.