ISLAMABAD, Dec 28: The government has decided to seal Islamabad from Tuesday to ensure foolproof security arrangements during the Saarc Summit scheduled to be held in the capital from Jan 4, Interior Minister Makhdoom Syed Faisal Saleh Hayat told Dawn on Sunday.
The minister said extraordinary security measures were being taken for the safety of foreign delegates who will attend the summit.
Responding to a question, he said special force comprising 100 commandos has been formed to foil any attempt of terrorism and sabotage. “Besides, troops, para military forces, and personnel of various intelligence agencies would be deployed in the capital to ensure best possible security arrangements during the summit,” he said.
He said around 4,000 police personnel headed by a superintendent of police would be deployed for this purpose.
“On the basis of various meetings and reports from the intelligence agencies, we have decided to seal Islamabad completely,” he said.
In this connection all entry points to Islamabad from Peshawar, Murree, AJK and Motorway would be brought under strict and round-the-clock checking.
Meanwhile, a well-placed source said that the government was considering to announce local holidays in Islamabad during the Saarc summit and all government offices in Islamabad will remain closed during these days.
The source said public transport vehicles would not be allowed to ply and business activities would also remain very thin in the capital.
Later, in a press conference at Parliament house, Mr Hayat said the government had made arrangements for the aerial surveillance of Islamabad.
The minister regretted that commuters would face inconvenience due to checking at all entry points, adding that such arrangements were being made to ensure the safety of the guests.
He was of the view that even a slight security lapse could defame the country and the government could not afford it.
The entire Islamabad city, he said, had been divided into three zones for security purposes and the area hosting the official delegates in Constitutional Avenue had been declared “the Red Zone”.
Talking about the security of Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, Mr Hayat said the Indian premier would be under his own security cover. However, he would also be given special security by the local law enforcement agencies.
Responding to a question regarding ongoing investigations into murder attempt on President Musharraf, he said the investigation process was proceedings in the right direction. “On the basis of these investigations, we have found vital leads to reach the actual culprits,” he claimed.
Mr Hayat said it had been decided that President Musharraf would soon shift to Islamabad to avoid the risk of commuting between the two cities through congested areas.
The president, he said, was also the COAS and therefore, the responsibility of his security devolved both on the police as well as the armed forces.
He was of the view that it was very difficult to control the suicide attacks. “Due to security measures taken after first attack on the President on Dec 14, the suicide bombers failed to hit his car,” he added.