MANSEHRA: Local police and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) here on Saturday chalked out a joint strategy to avert potential threat to the latter’s foreign and local staff in the district.

The strategy came at a meeting presided over by Superintendent of Police Ali Zia and attended by representatives of national and international NGOs.

“Female staff would follow the local ethics and take care of dress code in accordance with the community they visit,” was one of points agreed at the meeting.

The meeting discussed security arrangements for providing security to the local and foreign NGOs. It is worth mentioning here that two months ago 12 people, including four policemen, were killed during attacks on American Charity World Vision and police checkposts.

It was decided that foreigners would be advised not to stay in the district because of the ongoing military operation in Kala Dhaka and terrorism incidents.

It was decided that all NGOs would shift their offices to Gazikot Township where police had provided adequate arrangements. Mobility of female staff should be kept in low-profile, the meeting suggested.

A two-member security committee, one each from Swiss Development Corporation ((SDC) and Camp Dresser and McKee (CDM), was constituted to coordinate between the police and NGOs and review security situation on daily basis.

The committee will also inform the police in case of any security threat and if needed seek further security.

On the occasion, the SP said security had been put on high alert at the township and that Afghan refugee families living there would be registered with the police.
Source: Dawn
Date:5/16/2010