Diplomats 'allowed' to have foreign security personnel

Baqir Sajjad Syed

Responding to concerns expressed by diplomats about their security, the Ggovernment is reported to have quietly allowed them to employ their own nationals for their security.

But as a result of this major shift in its policy on security measures for foreign diplomats and missions, the Government appears to have suddenly realized that there are not any 'rules of engagement' for dealing with this new situation.

Recently there has been a significant increase in the number of foreign security personnel brought in by different missions in view of the situation in the country. Some of these security personnel, sources reveal, enjoy diplomatic cover while others carry official passports.

Moreover, a number of foreign missions have been facilitated by the Government in bringing in advanced security gadgets. Sources avoided identifying the missions which have been permitted to use foreign security personnel and import equipment, but said that most of them were western.

The additional resources being allocated by different countries for protection of their missions are an indication of their concerns. Plans by Washington to earmark $23 million next year for protecting its diplomatic facilities in Karachi and Islamabad by raising a special security squad is just one example.

The recent disclosure of a plot involving Frontier Constabulary deserters to target diplomats in the federal capital could have further highlighted the threat to foreign missions which have been on the list of extremist and terrorist groups.

"There is an understanding among foreign missions that Pakistan has inadequate capacity and resources to protect them and, therefore, they need to develop their own resources," a foreign diplomat said while justifying their security arrangements.

Pakistan uses its intelligence agencies, diplomatic protection department of police, Frontier Constabulary and other security arrangements to provide protection to diplomats. Additionally, the foreign missions have employed a number of Pakistani private security firms and retired army personnel.

The embassies and consulates with high walls and strict screening procedures may have evoked impression of fortresses among local people, but the fears linger on.

Several missions have now redrawn their security procedures and their senior diplomats, in violation of diplomatic norms, travel along with their own armed protection squads.

Unlike last year when security agencies intercepted and impounded diplomatic vehicles for carrying weapons, authorities now expediently turn a blind eye to this phenomenon. Explaining the new position, a senior official at the Foreign Office said, "The purpose is to make them feel at ease". Dawn.com