We can't screen all VIP guards: Pak security agencies

Pakistani security agencies have told the government they cannot screen all security guards who protect VIPs.

Pakistani security agencies have told the government they cannot screen all security guards who protect VIPs.

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The response came to a government proposal following the assassination of Punjab governor Salman Taseer.

Unidentified sources told Dawn that instead of carrying out an exercise to screen the security personnel for their religious inclination, the VIPs were asked to rely on their own security.

Taseer was shot dead Jan 4 by Mumtaz Qadri who was member of the governor's special security squad. National Assembly Speaker Fehmida Mirza had sent a letter to security departments to screen all security guards of VIPs.

She was told that the departments were unable to carry out such a hectic exercise so lawmakers should rely on their own security, the media report said.

Several lawmakers have now reportedly hired own private security guards.