KARACHI – The Sindh government has decided to monitor the hiring process of private security agencies working in the province to ensure that they do not give jobs to terrorists and criminals. It would also take action against security agencies operating without the government’s permission.
The decisions were taken in a meeting on Tuesday between a seven-member All Pakistan Security Agencies Association (APSAA) delegation led by its chairman Muzzaffar Ata Malik and Sindh Home Affairs consultant Sharfuddin Memon at the Home Minister’s office.
The meeting discussed the modalities to streamline the affairs of private security agencies, keeping in mind the existing law and order situation.
The meeting decided to streamline the procedure of verification of security guards of all private security companies operating in the province, not only to screen out undesirable elements, but also to develop a provincial national database.
It was informed during the meeting that around 77,000 individuals are working as private security guards in the province while about 40,000 such guards were discharging their assigned duties in Karachi alone.
Memon, who conducted the meeting on special directives of Sindh Home Minister Dr Zulfiqar Mirza, spelled out the objectives aimed at checking possible entrance of terrorists and criminals in private security agencies.
He pointed out that a deed verification cell for security companies had been established by the capital city police headed by an SP-rank officer to monitor the functioning of the agencies.
The APSAA delegation expressed its reservations over the performance of the cell and assured of all possible cooperation.
Memon assured the delegation for an early reactivation of the police verification cell ensuring necessary resources and manpower to achieve the objectives of the cell.
He also asked the delegation to redesign their employment methods with necessary amendments to the psychological evaluation sheet at the APSAA training school.
The meeting also discussed the issue of registration of security companies and those functioning without a valid government NOC.
It was decided to prepare a list of all such companies for legal action against them and to motivate and advise all legally operating agencies to register with APSAA to minimise complications and attain uniformity.
Memon stated that the outcome of the meeting would be submitted to the Sindh Home Department.
