The tug of war between Ministry of Interior and Capital Development Authority (CDA) over the possession of three newly constructed entrance gates to the diplomatic enclave with minimal, almost non-existent, facilities provided to security staff has made the enclave vulnerable.
The United States provided funds for construction of three modern and well-equipped buildings at three gates - Shams Gate, Kashmir Gate and Gate No 5 near Quaid-e-Azam University, police sources said, adding these buildings were constructed on modern lines but are not in use.
Neither the Ministry of Interior nor the CDA is ready to take possession of these buildings constructed at a cost of Rs 370 million as neither has the resources to pay for the installation of transformers or for the electricity bills, well informed sources in Islamabad Police revealed to Business Recorder on Friday. The security of diplomatic enclave is also being compromised by the subhuman conditions provided to security personnel manning the checkpoints, the sources said.
There is no drinking water, no washroom, no fan and no arrangements for light at night once the street lights go off due to loadshedding to enable us to check the identity of those wanting to enter the enclave, the guards told this correspondent. "We are forced to stand for over eight hours checking vehicles entering the enclave, but in spite of a modern buildings at these three gates, the lack of electricity connection means we can't use them," a security personnel deployed at the gate said.
After completion of the modern buildings six-months ago the construction company, MAAKSONS requested the Ministry of Interior and CDA to take over the possession and make them operational, but neither the Ministry nor CDA is ready to take over, said Ajmal Khan, an employee of MAAKSONS while talking to Business Recorder.
He said that the buildings were designed to have an air-conditioned main hall and waiting room for visitors with counters for security officials and adjacent to it a computer room where computers and Close Circuit Televisions would be installed. The buildings also have sitting-cum-rest room for officers and security staff, mechanical room, fire fighting room, guard room, two dog rooms, store room, kitchen, two washrooms, two parking lots and two watch towers and ten air-conditioners, the officials said.
The ultimate sufferers of this tussle are security personnel who are standing for hours to secure the diplomatic community living inside the fenced enclave, he said, adding that the company has deputed private security guards for security of new buildings at these three gates, who are also suffering due to lack of facilities. Business Recorder tried to contact Ministry of Interior for comments but there was no response, while the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Islamabad did not respond till the filing of this report.
Comments
Comments are closed.