Strengthening security in federal capital: six hi-tech explosive detectors purchased from China

The Interior Ministry has purchased six hi-tech explosive scanners at Rs 120 million from China. These scanners will be installed in the federal capital to check explosives, arms and drugs. The scanners that will be received in the first week of July to be installed at entry points and the Red Zone, sources in the Interior Ministry told Business Recorder on Saturday.
The sources said the Interior Ministry in the past had decided to install hi-tech explosive detectors at 21 entry points of Islamabad to avert transportation of explosives into the capital, and it had been decided to import the scanners from France. "But now the scanners are being purchased from China, which are not as effective as French equipment," they added.
Four out of six scanners would be installed at entry points of Islamabad including Motorway Toll Plaza and Golra Morr toll Plaza, the entry points from the NWFP, and GT Road Toll Plaza at Rawat and Faizabad. The other two scanners would be installed at entry points of the Red Zone including Serena Chowk and Secretariat Chowk.
These hi-tech scanners could detect any vehicle within a radius of 200 meters carrying explosives, arms or drugs in just 15 seconds, the Interior Ministry sources said. They said Chinese experts would arrive in Islamabad to install these scanners and to train police officials in the operation of the scanners. Chinese experts would impart training to police officials in the Police Academy Islamabad, they added.
It is pertinent to note that Interior Minister, Rehman Malik, has already said that the Chinese government has assured Pakistan to provide security gadgets of $280 million including hi-tech mobile scanners to enhance the capacity of law enforcement agencies.
Malik said the Chinese government, during his recent visit to China, had made the commitment to assist in capacity building of the security forces of Pakistan.
"China will provide security gadgets including vehicle scanners, mobile scanners and other equipment, which can help to bring terrorists to task." It may be recalled that after September 20, 2008 Marriott Hotel terrorist attack, which killed over 80, the Interior Ministry had considered various plans to make the security of the capital impregnable.
Soon after the Marriott blast, the Interior Ministry had announced that it would construct a concrete wall around the Red Zone comprising the Presidency, the Prime Minister House and Secretariat, Parliament, Supreme Court, Pak Secretariat, Parliament Lodges, Foreign Office, Diplomatic Enclave and various other sensitive government installations, besides residences of VVIPs, Judges and Minister's enclosures.
The idea was criticised by experts saying that it would not only cost over Rs 10 billion but also affect the beauty of the capital and damage Pakistan's image internationally. The new idea of installation of high tech explosive detectors was floated as an alternative and it was announced that scanners would be purchased from France. But after Malik's weeklong visit to China the scanners are now being purchased from China.