Pakistan to upgrade security at Parliament

A special force of about 90 personnel is being trained in the wake of reports of a possible terrorist attack.

A complete revamp of Parliament House security is in the offing in Pakistan.

HT Image

A special force of about 90 personnel is being trained in the wake of reports of a possible terrorist attack.

The formation of the new security force was part of the interior ministry's proposed security plan for parliament, the Daily Times newspaper said, adding that National Assembly Deputy Speaker Sardar Muhammad Yaqub had approved of the plan.

While Parliament House has been spared so far, Islamist terrorists have attacked a number of places visited by VVIPs in the past, including a church that was frequented by the diplomatic community.

Other components of the plan include installing of sophisticated security equipment, like security cameras.

Members of the National Assembly and senators have been told to provide a list of their staff and employees so as to issue special passes to them.

Legislators would also be required to show their identity cards at the main entrance of Parliament House, failing which their vehicles would be checked, the newspaper said.

Parliament House is one of the most well guarded establishments in Islamabad. But intelligence agencies have warned that the building could be targeted for attacks if security arrangements were not improved.