Sources in the administration told Business Recorder that the fresh instructions had been issued following threats by terrorists. To review the security situation, a meeting chaired by SSP Islamabad Sajid Kaini was also held on Sunday in which the capital police was directed to ensure strict security measures around educational institutions and media outlets.

According to a press statement of police, the meeting was attended by all zonal SPs, SDPOs, SHOs and other police officials. The SSP Islamabad directed all police officials to carry out patrol around the educational institutions in their respective jurisdictions.

He also directed to ensure effective security arrangements by deploying additional police force.

The SSP directed that deployment of security guards should be ensured at the roof tops of the educational institutions and similar arrangements must be made for the security of media outlets and other important buildings.

He also directed to review security around religious places. It was also decided to arrange meetings with the administration of seminaries to develop a communication link.

The police officials were also directed to take immediate action on complaints by citizens. The SSP warned strict disciplinary action against any neglect of duty.

Meanwhile, the sources said that security around the media houses had further been enhanced and the management of the media outlets had also been urged to hire private guards and also co-ordinate with the district administration.

Business Recorder

WASHINGTON: Two international media advocacy groups urged the government of Pakistan on Thursday to provide proper security to journalists.

“We are alarmed by the violence against journalists and media workers in Pakistan after three separate attacks in 24 hours,” said the US-based Committee to Protect Journalists.

Also read: One dead in firing on Geo TV DSNG van in Karachi

“Two dead and two wounded in two days — this grim toll will send yet another intimidatory message to the Pakistani media,” said Benjamin Ismaïl, the head of the Reporters Without Borders Asia-Pacific desk.

Pakistan is ranked 159th out of 180 countries in the 2015 Reporters Without Borders press freedom index.

Reporters Without Borders also expressed concern about the restrictive nature of a new code of conduct for the electronic media drafted by the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra). The code became effective on Aug 20.

“The code is clearly designed to increase censorship of radio and TV programmes, which are already subject to close control,” the group noted.

Dawn

Police have completed the security audit and survey of 38 media houses and installed panic alert systems at 31 outlets to avert any untoward incident there.

Following the directions of Minister for Interior Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, various steps have been taken by Islamabad police to ensure fool proof security arrangements at media houses and these measures were reviewed here in meeting presided by DIG (Security) Sultan Azam Temuri.

The meeting held following the orders of IGP Islamabad Tahir Alam Khan reviewed the security arrangements at media houses which was also attended among others by SSP (Security) Mir Vais Niaz, PID officers and representatives of media houses.

It was told that the panic alert system has been installed at 31 media houses. This was done after conducting the security audit of 38 media outlets while 123 security guards have been given security training in a three-day program. In addition, a total of 59 security guards joined the rehearsal of firing.

Likewise, the meeting was told that security audit of 150 buildings have been completed and 530 bunkers have been constructed for guards deputed there for security purpose.

DIG (Security) Sultan Azam Temuri said that an SOP has been prepared for security of Islamabad and it has been divided into four clusters. He said that a total of 1723 guards have been given security training so far and this exercise would remain continue in next month.

Temuri said that the media is playing an important role in perspective of security situation in the country and the interior minister has categorically asked to ensure fool proof arrangements there. He said that media representative would share the security information after this meeting with owners of media outlets and complete coordination will be ensured with police in this regard.

Pakistan Today