Protect yourself,' new Bill tells citizens
The suggestion that banks, schools and other commercial establishments hire private security guards for their protection has raised several questions. Moreover, is providing security to citizens not the responsibility of the State, according to the Constitution of 1973?
By Fasahat Mohiuddin
The Sindh home department has sent a bill for approval to the Sindh chief minister, to make it mandatory for schools, banks and all commercial establishments to hire private security guards. Now while the Sindh home minister considers this a necessary measure to stop criminal activities, shop keepers, traders and bankers disagree with him strongly.

Private security industry booms while city trembles with fear
The environment of constant fear indicates that the State security apparatus has failed; people are therefore compelled to buy security for themselves – at a very high price.
By Saad Hasan
The only industry that has ostensibly "blossomed" on account of terrorism threats, is the one that caters to private security and surveillance. Suicide blasts have sent the prices of a whole range of security and surveillance equipment rocketing up as everything from metal and explosive detectors to vehicle inspection systems is in high demand these days.

Threats of terrorist attacks on educational institutes have heightened the paranoia among parents and authorities alike. Kolachi analyses the adverse affect on the stakeholders and measures taken for protection

 By Samia Saleem

Snipers march on the roof; razor wires surround the premises; armed guards stand at the gate, thoroughly searching everyone entering the building; a scanner checks every bag. This is not the picture of an embassy or a high-risk installation, but the current situation at many schools in Karachi, especially those "on the other side of the bridge".

The hysteria that was created in the wake of the attack on the International Islamic University in Islamabad, has led to increased security at most educational institutions. The staff and administration have been instructed by the government to observe stringent security arrangements.

Now, students cannot enter their own schools without showing identity cards. No vehicles are allowed inside and outside the premises of these institutes. Visitors are completely banned and strict action has been planned for violations.

'Just a security measure'

Most schools have not told their students directly about the threat, but have just informed them to follow a set of security measures.

"Our principal, Rev. Father Joe Paul, announced in the assembly that the school is tightening security in view of the concerns of the government," said Aloysious Dacunha, the Incharge of St Patrick's Cambridge High School. "We have therefore implemented strict identity checks and have. We are also preparing students for emergencies."

Madiha Ayub, the Academic Coordinator at the PECHS School, said that they too had not told students much about the "terrorism threat".

"We have, however, adopted strict security measures. We have ordered metal detectors and cameras, and are raising our boundary walls. The internal communication system has also been improved," she said. "Since we are an all-girls school, we know that we have to be extra careful about their security. We are practicing evacuation drills and exercises to prepare our students for emergencies."

Other schools have also started drills and emergency evacuation exercises. "I have four young children studying in primary classes at the DHA School. The other day, their teachers conducted an exercise in which they rang an alarm to prepare students for emergency evacuation. It nearly resulted in a stampede," said Rubya, a concerned parent.

At the Gulistan School, the administration sent a set of instructions to parents, and is keeping a record of all private chauffeurs and van drivers, along with a list of students who they pick and drop.

Fear-cum-racism

Aijaz Awan, the Administrator of the Habib Public School, said that they were heightening security at their institution, because the schools' boys' branch was situated in an area that has a large settlement of people from Waziristan.

"We have taken all measures instructed by the government. In fact, we also met DIG Police Ghulam Nabi Memon and have asked him to provide us with reserve police for security. He has approved our request," Awan told Kolachi.

In yet another instance, a local school's administrator told Kolachi that they had made sure that they developed security measures on their own. "We have not availed the services of security agencies and private security guards because they cannot be trusted. We trust our own gatekeeper and the peons who have been with the school for years more than we would trust new, unknown personnel," he said on condition of anonymity.

Threatening the

'influential lot'

The junior section of the Karachi Grammar School (KGS) is yet to reopen. "We, and other major schools of Karachi such as St Patrick's, Beaconhouse, Army Public, and CAS have the greatest threat, because these schools hold the most influential lot of the population of the city. The administrations of our schools are therefore taking extra security measures," said Rafay, an 'A' level student at KGS.

The violent 'other'

"If we are not careful, the terrorists will bomb our school," said Iqra, an innocent grade two student from St Patrick's Girls High School. This was the typical answer that Kolachi received from many other schoolgoing children. Even though students are aware of 'a threat,' most of them have no idea as to who the threat comes from. Many just bandied the word 'terrorists' around, but were unable to explain who they were, or why they would threaten the security of students in Karachi.

Schooling made difficult

"A majority of our population does not focus on education anyway. Threats of this kind will deepen their doubts further, and they will start to totally stop their children from going to school," said Fahad, another concerned parent.

"I never thought sending my child to school will become so difficult," said Dr Huma whose daughter studies in grade four at the Beaconhouse School System.

Better safe than sorry

What is important to note here is that although most of these fears are based on speculations, at least as far as Karachi is concerned, they are still affecting teachers, parents and children greatly. People are so afraid that they don't know where will the attack come from and are taking blind measures and precautions.

School administrators believe, however, that it is better to be safe than sorry, and are therefore implementing all possible security measures that they can manage.

"We are not a proactive people. We take action after a disaster, not before it. So now all educational institutes are running after security measures after the attack on International Islamic University," said Aloysious Dacunha.

'Do more than just issuing instructions!'

"All that the government is doing is to issue a new set of instructions every other day. This further exaggerates our concerns and those of parents. We have no choice but to comply in view of the concerns of the parents, otherwise people will stop sending their children to schools," said an annoyed school principal.

"The government should have been more concerned and ensured concrete steps for schools which don't have the finances to buy security gadgets or hire guards," one parent said.

Although all of these precautionary steps are necessary to safeguard education in the country, one also needs to question if they are really protecting children, as well as the psychological impact of measures such as snipers on the roof.

"Looking at the situation, we know that education is a target," said Madiha Ayub. "However, seeing that these terrorists even managed to penetrate the GHQ, which is probably the most secure place in the country, there is not much guarantee any other place will be safe if the terrorists really decide to strike. In order to not disturb the day to day activities of educational institutes, however, we have to take preventive measures, to put the minds of parents and children at ease."

  – The News photos by Naqeeb-ur-Rehman and Zahid Rahman

  By Gibran Ashraf

Security blueprints have been issued by the Sindh government and subsequently by the Board of Secondary Education Karachi (BSEK), in the wake of the terror attacks at the International Islamic University, Islamabad. Schools in Sindh had also been closed for a week to avoid any threat to the security of students.

Kolachi spoke to security experts and the head of the Citizen-Police Liaison Committee (CPLC) regarding the recommendations of the government for schools and other educational institutions. They have been asked, among other things, to employ private security guards and ex-servicemen, install metal detectors, walk-through gates, and even establish a vehicle-free zone in the vicinity of educational schools.

Memon quick to point out that the recommendations put forward by the Sindh Government were, in fact, sound. Even though they sound extreme, these recommendations are the only way to guarantee a safer environment for students. He conceded, however, that there were inherent problems in the existing security systems "because people do not trust the police".

He was of the opinion that only a few schools are under direct threat and closing every school across-the-board has worsened the situation by giving rise to widespread panic. "Security measures are not easy to implement; they are not easy for children to follow either. There is no doubt, however, that they are necessary," he said.

According to the analysts who Kolachi spoke to, the measures indicated by the Sindh government are standard, by-the-book procedures. They will not eliminate threats, but they can greatly enhance the chances of deterring attacks.

Security advisor Jamil Yousuf, who, along with the home secretary and the education secretary, was part of the committee which chalked out the recommendations, said that many schools were using the pretext of security to jack up their fees. "The one clause in all of this that failed to get much attention was that schools should not increase their fees, because many of the expenditures which have been listed by us are only one-time capital investments that schools can usually afford," he said.

Purchasing weapons, installing CCTV cameras and metal detectors, raising boundary walls, double-layering windows with PVC films, floor planning, telephones, and emergency gates are all one-time expenses that can be implemented in stages after due prioritisation, to reduce the initial investment.

Referring to the point regarding hiring ex-servicemen, Yousuf said that there was a need to hire "sensible guards" at the gates, who would be able to keep watch and have some sort of basic training in dealing with dangerous elements. As for private guards, they should have their own elevated posts from where they can watch over surrounding areas, and be protected in case of an attack so that they can utilise their vantage point to fight back. "Pay a trusty guard Rs9,000 or Rs10,000 instead of the usual Rs5,000 and you will get proper security from them. They should already know students who are regulars and frisk only those who seem suspicious," Yousuf said.

Meanwhile, Memon said that there is an urgent need to enhance the police force and the 15 rescue helpline. The command and control centre needs to be given to the police to enhance the monitoring of streets, he said. "A crises management cell needs to be formed. Citizens, government officials, and the police and other law-enforcement personnel should be part of it," he maintained.

"The police are coming up with a security SOP (Standard operating Procedure) for schools. The Clifton TPO is working closely with schools in his area and they are coming up with personalised strategies for school-defense," Memon said. Floor plans of the schools are also being submitted at the station.

Security experts said that the police and the Rangers, along with other law-enforcement personnel, were only emergency backup services. The brunt of any terror attack would have to be borne by individual school security. Yousuf said that there was realistically no chance of having policemen or Rangers personnel guard each and every school, especially with schools in every nook and cranny of residential areas. Memon was more critical of the Rangers. "Their budget has been set up," he said.

Steps are being taken to bolster the police ranks. However, while 5,000 new faces would be inducted, they would not be visible on the streets for another six months while they get trained. A special 1,000-strong police unit is currently being trained to counter terrorist attacks.

The problems would have been less pronounced if community policing projects had not "failed so spectacularly," Memon said. He suggested forming "vigilante-type" groups to increase patrolling in and around schools.

Children will have to go through emergency drills such as "duck-and-cover," as well as the proper method for getting out of buildings without causing stampedes. Psychiatrists should be hired at schools to help children slip into the transition without affecting their focus on studies. Furthermore, care must be taken that this situation is not treated as "intermediate" because the enemy has shown its patience in waiting for security forces to display a lapse in concentration to strike, experts said.

The suggestion that banks, schools and other commercial establishments hire private security guards for their protection has raised several questions. Moreover, is providing security to citizens not the responsibility of the State, according to the Constitution of 1973?

 By Fasahat Mohiuddin

The Sindh home department has sent a bill for approval to the Sindh chief minister, to make it mandatory for schools, banks and all commercial establishments to hire private security guards. Now while the Sindh home minister considers this a necessary measure to stop criminal activities, shop keepers, traders and bankers disagree with him strongly.

According to the "Sindh Shop and Establishment (Security) Act," people who fail to arrange private security for themselves are liable to be penalised. Sources told Kolachi that the Bill calls for a month's imprisonment and a fine of Rs15,000 for anyone who fails to comply with these orders. The police will also have the authority to seal shops or private establishments in order to ensure the efficacy of this strategy.

Moreover, after the acceptance of this Bill, the police force will be withdrawn from all these places, including private banks, rendering moot the notion that it is the responsibility of the State to provide protection to the lives and property of the citizens.

The police will only patrol the roads in cars, and will be deployed beneath the flyovers.

Sindh Home Minister Dr Zulfiqar Mirza, however, told Kolachi that this Bill is essential to "block acts of terrorism". Security measures have to be taken and citizens have to play their due role in stopping terrorism, he added. Dr Mirza further said that private security guards will inform the police about terrorist activities, and then it will be up to the police to take action.

On the contrary shopkeepers, schools' administrations, and bankers say that this development has troubled them for two reasons. First, they will have to bear the expenses for the safety of their lives and property; this is the duty of the State, and is a basic right enshrined in the Constitution of 1973. Secondly, they do not trust private security guards.

Jewellers and shopkeepers in Boulton Market, Tariq Road and Clifton told Kolachi that this will strongly oppose this "embarrassing law". One trader said that they are already passing through a hard time, paying exorbitant electricity bills. Now, to make the matters worse, this additional burden of paying for private security guards has been thrust upon them. Another trader, Iftikhar Usmani, said that the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry should stand against this Bill.

The manager of a bank at I.I Chundrigar Road told Kolachi that this Bill has been proposed to protect the police and criminals. "This Bill does nothing except providing an ample opportunity to these private guards to rob banks more easily. Banks do not trust private guards and this Bill simply means that police are abandoning banks and other business establishments," he said. He added that the Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Karachi should accept his failure and step down.

At present, around 230 private security companies are registered with the Sindh home department. Private security guards have allegedly been involved in several bank robberies in the past. Banks claims that these guards allegedly commit the robbery, and then escape to their native towns upcountry. It is also reported that these security guards are untrained and do not posses legal arms licenses.

The environment of constant fear indicates that the State security apparatus has failed; people are therefore compelled to buy security for themselves – at a very high price.

 By Saad Hasan

The only industry that has ostensibly "blossomed" on account of terrorism threats, is the one that caters to private security and surveillance. Suicide blasts have sent the prices of a whole range of security and surveillance equipment rocketing up as everything from metal and explosive detectors to vehicle inspection systems is in high demand these days.

A hardware market near Denso Hall, in a narrow lane just off the I.I Chundrigar Road, where iron fencings, grills and barbed wires are sold, is brimming with trading activity. Orders seem to be rushing in from everywhere, from government organisations and army installations, to schools, offices of private companies, restaurants, and foreign embassies.

The equipment most in demand in the market is the razor wire, a kind of steel fencing which is imported from China. This shiny silver product has almost fast-curved out of this market because of its effectiveness.

"The demand for razor-wire has increased a lot recently, especially from educational institutions," a wholesale trader in the market told Kolachi. While he insisted that the price has remained stable at around Rs4,000 for a 30-foot roll, customers said that prices have shot up tremendously. Limited supply, which is being met from imports and ever-growing demand, is pushing up the price.

The reason for increasing demand of this imported razor wire is that the traditional concertina barbed wire is no longer in vogue and the sharp edges of this imported razor wire make it almost impossible for anyone to intrude across the fence.

Muhammad Dawood, an official at a local steel-production factory, told Kolachi that Pakistani companies which make razor-wire are not able to compete with Chinese goods because these imported goods cost much less. "Our sales have gone up too, but most of the demand is being met by imported fences," he said.

Meanwhile, not far from the Denso Hall market, at Uni Center, some companies even offer high-tech perimeter security systems of some of the largest brands in the world. According to dealers at this market, Chinese metal detectors which used to cost Rs1,000 are now sold at Rs3,000 apiece. The ones imported from Taiwan cost Rs4,000 and Japanese scanners cost as much as Rs12,000. Demand for walkthrough-scanners has also shot up, with prices ranging from Rs90,000 to Rs300,000.

Ikram Sehgal, a defense analyst, said that the size of this industry is around $100 million and growing. "Given the state of security in Pakistan, it can easily touch $1 billion," he said, adding that there is no manufacturer of high-tech security equipment in the country and international companies sell these equipments through a network of dealers.

Moreover, Hotels Association of Pakistan Chairman Mustansir Zakir told Kolachi that millions of rupees are being spent on reinforcing security around hotels, which are already facing a severe room occupancy crisis. "After last year's devastating terrorist attack at Marriott in Islamabad, its management has spent around Rs60 million on constructing bomb-proof walls," he said. He added that the Hashoo Group, which runs Marriott and Pearl-Continental franchises, has plans for similar arrangements for their two hotels in Karachi.

Zakir further said that strict security measures have become indispensable, following suicide attacks at five-star hotels across the country. He added, however, that the bloated cost of security systems is proving troublesome.

"A sniffer dog costs around Rs1 million and a specialised caretaker has to be hired to take care of the animal. One dog can be used for 12 hours so this means that two dogs have to be bought. Generally there are at least two gates in hotels which means four dogs are needed. You can imagine where the costs are heading," he said. The number of security guards deployed around hotel premises has also been increased, which means additional expenses for the hotels, he added.

Consequently, security service providers are doing roaring business. Around 100 security agencies operate in Karachi alone. Security guards are paid between Rs6,000 and Rs11,000 per month, but they are contracted out for as much as Rs13,000.

All-Pakistan Security Agencies Association Chairman Major (retd) Munir Ahmed told Kolachi that it has become increasingly difficult to find enough men to fill the ranks of security guards. "There is a serious shortage of manpower, whereas more and more people want our services," he said, adding that banks, shopping plazas and even security-conscious citizens are have started hiring private guards.

The business of security agencies, however, has not come without a price. The morale of security guards has hit rock-bottom since many members of their fraternity have lost their lives in the recent months.

"The only way to encourage them to keep performing their duties diligently is by giving them incentives such as bonuses, and allowing them to go on vacations," Ahmed said.