ISLAMABAD, Dec 29: A strong contingent of Rangers, comprising more than 2,000 personnel, has arrived here to take part in the security arrangements for the forthcoming South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) summit in the capital from January 4 to 6.
The commandant of the Rangers’ contingent, Col Waseem Akhtar, was given a briefing at the Rescue-15 by SSP Islamabad Shahid Nadeem Baloch on the security arrangements and deployment of security forces at various places during the summit.
Later, the Rangers personnel carried out a flag-march on various avenues to show their presence before taking up positions at the designated spots.
Sources in the Islamabad administration said a contingent of Punjab Reserve Police would be arriving in the capital on Tuesday while the Frontier Constabulary will also be part of the security arrangements.
“All these will be in addition to the Pakistan Army contingent, which will also provide security cover for the summit,” the sources said.
Meanwhile, special police pickets/check-posts have been set up at all the entry/exit points of the federal capital as part of the ‘sealing of the city’. The Islamabad police chief said commuters were bound to face a little inconvenience because of these special security arrangements.
“I hope people will understand the importance of all these arrangements being made for foolproof security of the delegates and will cooperate with us.
“We will not be bothering people unnecessarily but at the same time will not be taking any chance as far as the security arrangements are concerned,” SSP Baloch said.
He urged people not to argue with the officials deployed at these pickets/check-posts and extend cooperation to them in the best national interests.
According to the route plans, which will be employed most probably from January 1, traffic will not be allowed on Shahrah-i-Kashmir beyond the Aabpara Chowk, on Murree Highway and beyond Attaturk Avenue (Embassy Road) up to Ayub Chowk.
These traffic plans will cause a lot of problems for the residents in sectors G-6/3, G-6/4 and F-6/4 while those living in the Diplomatic Enclave will be facing more hardships.
Most of the people working or living in the Diplomatic Enclave have been issued special security passes to facilitate their movement while there will be no VVIP movement on the Constitution Avenue concerning the Saarc summit.
However, common people living in Bari Imam, the QAU residential colony and in the adjacent villages, including Malpur and Barakahu, will be the worst hit because of the security arrangements.
Staff Reporter adds: The area that falls between Marriott and Serena Hotel at the Constitutional Avenue has been declared “red zone” and “no-go area” for the general public, an official of Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration told Dawn on Monday.
He said no body except those who would have special cards would be allowed to enter into the red zone.
Similarly, special passes would be issued for the entry of vehicles while vehicles without such passes would not be allowed to enter the area.
Elaborating the announcement of interior minister regarding sealing of Islamabad, he said sealing did not mean that nobody would be allowed to enter or leave Islamabad during the Saarc summit. However, there would be a strict check on the entry of people into the Capital, he maintained.
In reply to a question, the official said troops would be deployed in all main and sensitive areas in the Capital.
The official rejected the possibility that army would take over the charge of the entire Islamabad, saying that the army will only assist the ICT administration in security arrangements.
He said army would conduct aerial surveillance and choppers would continue to fly over Islamabad round-the-clock during the Saarc moot.
An official of Capital Development Authority (CDA), who has been assigned to check the entire VVIP route and other areas, said all hotels and guest houses were being checked on daily basis and the record of their clients and visitors was being scrutinised.
The source said the delegates of six Saarc member countries would not be taken anywhere except specific places and their movement would be restricted to the area, which falls in the red zone.
Those who are living out of the red zone in different localities like Noorpur Shahan, Chak Shahzad and other areas would be allowed to cross the red zone to proceed toward other areas of the Capital. “But they would be allowed to cross only when there would be no movement of delegates in the red zone,” he added.