The first batch of 36 persons including four women guards of National Police Foundation (NPF) on Monday took charge of security at Karachi Fish Harbour Authority (KFHA) while the deployment of remaining 38 will be made till July 1, 2009, sources told Business Recorder. KFHA and NPF south region have signed a one-year renewable agreement for security enhancement at the fish harbour.
The authority will pay Rs 1.5 million for the remaining four months of current fiscal years services to NPF, which will be responsible for security maintenance at the entrance, auction halls and other different parts of the harbour besides carrying out thorough surveillance and regular patrolling there, source added.
The Sindh government has allocated Rs 21.630 million for the three years security at the harbour till fiscal year 2010-11, in which Rs 7.21 million has been allocated for every fiscal year, while the Sindh Finance Department has released Rs 1.5 million as a first tranche for this fiscal year, they added.
KFHA took the decision of hiring private guards at the harbour some seven months ago, though initially the objective for it was to implement the EU specifications inside the auction halls but later the alleged link of Mumbai attacks to Pakistani waters made the authority to expand security across the harbour, sources pointed out.
"The harbours own guards were insufficient to ensure complete security and keep close watch on the activities inside the harbour. The NPF personnel will have latest security equipment and sufficient number to have complete control," they added. About the Sindh governments deadline of March 10, set for all people working inside the harbour to obtain credentials and identity cards from KFHA, has apparently been relaxed as the authority is still receiving applications, sources added.
They said that the restrictions cannot be implemented presently for various reasons prior to issuance of cards for daily wagers and other staff working at factories and other places inside the harbour, which is likely to complete in a month. The authority had asked the staff and workers of fish harbour and fishermen to obtain the required documents and identity cards of KFHA till March 10, as nobody will be allowed to enter the harbour without such credentials after the due date.
The security is being enhanced at the fish harbour in the light of intelligence reports which the federal government has dispatched to KFHA, suggesting increased security arrangement there after the interior ministry acknowledged the connection of Mumbai mayhem through Pakistani waters, officials said. Although, inside the harbour different government agencies will now keep a watchful eye on the movement of every boat exiting and entering the harbour channel, the NPF security guards will also be responsible for implementation of proposed security plan.
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