Islamabad policemen developing links with foreign missions

“Some of the police officials deputed in the Diplomatic Enclave for security purposes have developed personal relations with security officials and diplomats of different embassies and a top security agency fears a serious threat to the security of the capital city because of this,” an official source disclosed requesting anonymity.

According to the official, the security agency has submitted a report to the quarters concerned informing them that for the first time it was facing serious difficulties in discharge of its duties. He said the report submitted to the headquarters of the agency by the concerned officials stating that the police officers, who remain posted in the Diplomatic Enclave for a prolonged duration, developed personal links with diplomats and diplomatic missions.

“As a result, such police officials ignore suspected movements and activities, which is extremely dangerous for the security of Islamabad and because of this lapse on part of the police officials a Marriott bombing-like incident may occur,” the official quoted the report as saying.

“When some vehicles coming from Peshawar were checked at checkpoint in Islamabad a couple of days ago, it transpired that some foreigners clad in Pakistani dress were travelling in the vehicles with a huge quantity of arms,” the official claimed. “But Superintendent of Police Aftab Nasir let them go despite the fact that the vehicle carried private number plates instead of the diplomatic numbers,” he added.

When asked by The News about having links with any diplomatic mission, SP Aftab Nasir said: “Not at all. Some US Army personnel were travelling in the vehicles in question and we let them go after thorough checking and also confirming their identity from the US embassy. I have no direct link whatsoever with any diplomatic missions but for professional affairs and I accept that.”

About links of other police officers with diplomatic missions or diplomats, SP Aftab Nasir said that according to his knowledge, no police officer has direct links with any diplomat or diplomatic mission.

Commenting on the issue, renowned defence analyst Dr Shirin Mazari said the police officers posted in the Diplomatic Enclave since long should be posted out to far-flung rural areas. “The duration of the posting of police officers in the Diplomatic Enclave should be reduced,” she said.