Pak govt warns foreign mission staffs not to carry arms

The Pakistan government on Wednesday warned the staff of foreign missions not to move around with unlicensed arms after two men from the Netherlands embassy, carrying sophisticated weapons, were detained by authorities in a high-security zone.

The Pakistan government on Wednesday warned the staff of foreign missions not to move around with unlicensed arms after two men from the Netherlands embassy, carrying sophisticated weapons, were detained by authorities in a high-security zone.

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Interior Minister Rehman Malik said no foreigner will be allowed to carry and display weapons without licenses as this amounted to a violation of the law. Strict action will be taken against persons who violate the law, he said.

The Interior Ministry has sent a letter to the Foreign Ministry to prohibit diplomats from publicly displaying arms.

"Foreign diplomats will not be allowed to openly carry weapons," Malik said, while speaking in the Senate or upper house of parliament.

Malik's remarks came a day after security officials detained two members of the staff of the Netherlands embassy in a sensitive area between Marriott Hotel and the Pakistan Secretariat, which houses offices of top ministers.

Handguns, smoke grenades, flash bombs and bulletproof jackets were found in their car. The two men were released following the intervention of top diplomats from the Dutch and US embassies.