The meeting headed by Inspector General of Sindh Police Dr. Syed Kaleem Imam was arranged on 26 March 2019 in connection with the previous meeting which was suggested by the Consulate to have the discussion between the Police and the private security companies. The gist of the meeting is as follows:

Overview

                     1. The Police claimed the importance of hiring security guards by citing the recent incident in NZ. The Police also recalled the attack at Chinese Consulate on 23 November 2018 which was a sample of well-trained private security guards who could protect the Consulate and prolong the terrorists invaded into the foreign mission.

Suggestion

                    2. Some suggestions were raised in the meeting such as 1) setting up an audit unit to inspect the private security guards whether they perform their duties professionally 2) having guards trained in accordance with the standard procedure 3) having guards wear bullet proof jackets 4) allowing guards to carry automatic machine guns 5) recruiting guards properly with security and background check before hiring 6) having SOPs in each process and follow them strictly 7) reviewing guard salary who got their income lower than the minimum wage 8) arming guards with high tech equipment because terrorists are armed with more sophisticated weapons 9) having the Police provide a list of competent security guard companies to the Consulates

Question

                    3. Some questions were raised in the meeting such as 1) who would be the audit body : Consulate/ Police/ Company or third party 2) the law does not allow private guards carrying automatic weapons 3) where the guards are trained , who trains them and  how long they should be trained 4) if the guards have any age limit.

Proposal

                    4. The Police proposed to offer the following: 1) providing background check to all guards recruited by the companies 2) training the guards whom companies should bear some expenses 3) having meetings with the company representatives regularly or even monthly 4) identifying which security companies are registered and which are not.

Observation

                     5. The Police are having caution on security guards recruited from certain areas especially upper part of the country.

                     6. This meeting is between the Police and the private security companies. However, the invitation was sent to the Consulates because the Police wish to demonstrate that they are keeping good care of the foreign missions.

                     7. The suggestion and proposal that had been made would incur to the cost of the companies which will, of course, increase their fees to the foreign missions.