VVIPs' security: annual spending of ICP exceeds earmarked amount by 80 percent

The annual spending of Islamabad Capital Territory (ICP) Police on the VVIP security (including Cabinet Ministers) has gone up by approximately 80 percent of the earmarked budget, an official of Ministry of Interior revealed to this correspondent.
The police record showed that 4,510 out of 9,000 officials of Capital police are deployed for VVIPs and politicians' security. The remaining 4,490 policemen are deployed at important buildings in the Capital city, police stations, traffic police, CID, etc, the official said.
Around 1,600 police personnel have been deployed at 14 police stations of the Capital, and officials maintain that this is not sufficient number. At the same time, the Interior Ministry had put a ban on recruitment in Islamabad Police for indefinite period. A high ranking police official told this scribe that they have been receiving more requests from few remaining ministers for provision of high-level security. Such demands are increasing following the decrease in the number of private security companies in the capital subsequent to the decision of the District Co-ordinator Office to cancel licenses of around 115 private security companies out of a total of 165 registered companies which did not meet the regulations for running private companies.
The official further revealed that security expenditure for the President and the Prime Minister is as per rules contained in the blue book which contains codes formalised with the consent of police and intelligence agencies. He clarified that in the West security for the head of government or state is high tech and consists of state-of-the-art technology whereas in Pakistan it is mainly manual.
He admitted that the high numbers used for providing security to VVIPs, as well as those manning the several pickets in the city, may well be the reason for a surge in the crime rate in the city which reflects poorly on the performance of the police. There is a shortage of Investigation Officers and they are unable to give due attention to cases which accounts for a rising backlog of cases. The official also admitted that the police simply do not have the numbers to ensure adequate patrolling in the city due to a paucity of manpower and resources.
It has been learnt that that as many as 70 police personnel and rangers are deployed in shifts to provide security to Rehman Malik alone. Around 10 police officials are engaged to provide security to Senator Babar Awan. Police and rangers are also deployed to provide security to former Federal Minister for Water and Power, Raja Pervaiz Ashraf. Seven policemen guard Federal Minister for Communication, Arbab Alamgir. Similarly, besides other security personnel, Speaker National Assembly Dr Fehmida Mirza has seven guards from Islamabad Police. Nine security personnel are reportedly deployed to provide security to BISP Chairperson, Farzana Raja. Police patrolling cars are also routinely deputed during the movements of these VVIPs.