Spat of terrorism: government plans to reinforce security for President, VVIPs

In present circumstances when the country is under a spate of terrorism, extremism and suicide attacks, the top most priority of the government is to enhance the security of the President and other top government functionaries, said a top Interior Ministry official here on Wednesday.
The government has evolved a plan to reinforce the security of the President, who is the head of state, and his security should be impregnable; and not breached by any terrorist outfit, he told Business Recorder.
He said that a few people have expressed serious concerns over spending public money on enhancing the President's security, but they should keep in mind that presidency is an institution which is a symbol of unity of the country. "We have to provide foolproof security to the president", he added.
He said that two new electronic metal and explosives detector gates at two entry gates of the Aiwan-e-Sadr, besides closed circuit security cameras, walk-through gates, searchlights and other related equipment are being installed. He said that bullet-proof glasses are being fitted in windowpanes.
Regarding amount spent on providing security to former President Pervez Musharraf, he said that he was not living in the Presidency but in the fortified Army House, which was later declared as President's Camp Office, and was located in high security region of Rawalpindi Cantonment.
This was the main reason that the cost of security for President Musharraf was not as high as is expected for President Asif Ali Zardari, residing at Aiwan-e-Sadr. President Zardari has received threats from terrorists, and his wife was assassinated, he added.
About the austerity measures being adopted by the government, which are quite contrary to this plan, he said that austerity in other matters is relevant, but not in the security of head of the state.
He dispelled the impression of construction of wall around the Red Zone, saying that this was never an idea that has been discussed. "We have not even talked about the construction of a wall around Red Zone. We are looking to install high technology explosives detectors at entry points to avoid entry of explosives laden vehicles", he added.
It is pertinent to note that the government has recently spent over Rs 200 million for beefing up security of President Zardari in the President House which is already considered as one of the most secure places in the federal capital. The deadly suicide truck attack outside Marriott Hotel, located in Red Zone, on September 20 had forced the government to revisit its security strategy and it has started redesigning the security system of the capital, particularly the security system of President Zardari.