In an effort to ensure better security, the Saudi Consulate in Karachi has decided to deploy private security along with the law enforcement agencies (LEAs) personnel to guard the consulate office.
Well-placed sources in the Sindh Home Department told Pakistan Today that after the killing of Hassan Al-Qahtani – a Saudi diplomat and a security officer stationed at Saudi consulate in Karachi – in a drive-by shooting in DHA Phase VI, the security department of Saudi consulate has sought permission from provincial government authorities for deployment of its own staff in addition to the LEAs for better surveillance,
The consulate authorities also demanded that the government should provide them with the resources to strengthen the security inside and outside the office.
“The consulate authorities were of the view that joint ventures would help in better surveillance and monitoring inside and outside the consulate office,” the sources said.
They added that the Home Department has accepted the Saudi authorities’ demand and allowed them to strengthen security of consulate office while assuring them of providing resources for private security.
“The Home Department has sent a summary for the purchase of equipment to facilitate the consulate to hire private security,” they said.
Around 100 more security personnel have been added to the Saudi consulate security while 400 Rangers and more than 300 personnel of Foreign Security Cell (FSC) have been deployed at sensitive places leading to consulate offices in DHA. Sindh Home Department acting secretary Muhammad Riazuddin told Pakistan Today that the government will provide 10 two-wheelers to the Saudi Consulate’s private security company, adding that Saudi security personnel would move with local law enforcers for surveillance.
“The provincial government would also deliver the demanded apparatus shortly,” he added.
“The security of consulate offices has been beefed up and personnel of Frontier Constabulary, Pakistan Rangers and FSC are guarding the consulate offices.”
