A high level meeting was held under the chairmanship of Sindh Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ghulam Hyder Jamali to review at length the security of schools, colleges and universities in the metropolis and other cities of the province.
A comprehensive study report based on analysis, observations and existing situation was compiled and submitted by DIGP/Special Branch Naeem Akram Bharoka. He also shared the available information with the participants and proposed to categorize the educational institutions security according to the nature of sensitivity.
IGP Sindh directed to classify the schools, colleges and universities keeping in view the possible targets and any threat perception or specific information. He further directed to devise a comprehensive Standing Operating Procedure (SOP) for the security in consultation with stake holders and get it implemented by 11th January 2015.
Karachi Additional IGP Ghulam Qadir Thebo informed the meeting that the police was highly sensitized to the very issue and in this connection letters were also sent to school, college and university authorities for joint security measures strategy. ”Schools have been advised to keep parking of vehicles at a safe distance from school premises and similarly only authorized vehicles and personnel should be allowed to enter school premises,” he added.
Zonal DIGs of Karachi informed the chair that SHOs had already been issued specific instructions in this regard and to prepare list of the educational institutions within their jurisdiction to beef up the security with the available resources.
“Under Disaster Response Program, Counter Assault Teams (CAT) are being constituted to deal with any emergency situation/eventuality at zonal and district level. The CAT would comprise police commandos duly sensitized with the police response strategy and emergency evacuation plan,” zonal DIGs added.
IGP Sindh directed to accelerate the targeted operations against the criminal elements in the city.
”Pro-active policing is the key to avoid any untoward incident, therefore police should enhance its capability and capacity to ensure collection of advanced intelligence. Small search groups at police stations level may also be constituted to hunt for possible presence of criminal elements around government offices, residential areas, schools buildings, vital installations and public places to foil their nefarious activities,” he stressed.