‘Careful monitoring’: Islamabad steps up citywide security measures

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad district administration and police on Monday held a high-level meeting to review the law and order situation in the federal capital and to assess ongoing security measures across the city, following the tragic blast in Tarlai Kalan imambargah on Friday which claimed at least 36 lives and injured more than 150.

The meeting was jointly chaired by Chief Commissioner Islamabad Muhammad Ali Randhawa and Inspector General of Police Ali Nasir Rizvi, and was attended by senior officers from both the district administration and the Islamabad Police. Officials briefed the leadership on existing security arrangements and recent developments.

During the briefing, it was stated that security measures are being ensured at the divisional level across Islamabad. The chief commissioner said a comprehensive and coordinated strategy would be implemented to further strengthen security and make Islamabad one of the safest cities in the country.

IG Ali Nasir Rizvi directed that monitoring systems at all entry and exit points of the capital be strengthened. He said modern methods and technology would be adopted to closely monitor movement within the city and to improve response capabilities.

Security arrangements will also be enhanced across sensitive areas, including the Diplomatic Enclave and the Red Zone, the IG said, adding that the Islamabad Safe City project has been upgraded along modern lines to support surveillance and law enforcement efforts.

The police chief said actions were underway to prevent terrorism and crack down on criminal elements, noting that technology was being actively used to move towards making Islamabad a crime-free city.

The chief commissioner instructed officials to maintain strict surveillance on individuals involved in suspicious activities. He was also briefed that door-to-door surveys had been completed in urban areas, while similar surveys in rural localities would be completed soon.

Officials said special monitoring of Islamabad’s entry and exit routes would continue as part of the enhanced security plan.