91 embassies, companies in residential sectors

ISLAMABAD (APP) - As many as 43 diplomatic missions/ embassies and 48 foreign companies are functioning in the residential sectors of the Federal Capital in complete violation of non-conforming use of residential units.
It was informed to Senate Standing Committee on Interior here on Wednesday by Chairman of the Capital Development Authority (CDA).
He said, CDA has time and again written to Foreign Office to take up the matter with the concerned countries to relocate the offices of these embassies in diplomatic enclave, but in vein.
A senior representative of the Foreign Office said that Foreign Office never received any letter from CDA, however, he said that land is being provided to foreign missions and embassies on reciprocal basis.
The Senate body presided over by Senator Talha Mehmood, expressed serious concern over barricades put on different roads of the capital and construction of huge blocks around the embassies and missions in different residential sectors for security of embassies.
Representatives of Ministry of Interior, ICT Administration, CDA and Foreign Office were passing the responsibility of construction of huge blocks around embassies to each other.
They were of the view that none of them allowed any embassy or mission to construct concrete walls around their buildings located in residential sectors.
The Chairman of the Committee expressed serious concern over lack of coordination among the three departments and formed a committee under the supervision of Chief Commission Islamabad to inform the committee in three weeks that how many roads have been encroached by embassies, missions and foreign companies in the Capital.
The committee would also inform the standing committee that which authority has allowed Marriott Hotel management to block one side of Agha Khan Road for general traffic. They would also mention the existing expenditure spent by the Interior Ministry over the security arrangements of foreign mission.
The members of the committee were of the view that security arrangements made for foreign missions and embassies in different sectors of the federal capital is a matter of grave concern for the citizens.
They said that construction of almost waist-high cemented blocks on the roads around these missions and embassies to avoid any untoward incident, has multiplied the problems of the residents of these sectors.
Senator Talha said that the Federal Government is spending billion of rupees for the protection, safety and security of foreign missions and other offices established in Capital.
He said the shifting of embassies to the Diplomatic Enclave would not only solve the security problem of these embassies, but would also save huge money incurred in this regard.
A Senior Representative of Ministry of Interior apprised the committee that over Rs 95 million is being spent annually on the security and protection of embassies located in residential sectors.
While the Chief Commission Islamabad said that this amount includes salary and allowances being given to police officials and nothing else.
Senator Talha asked Ministry of Interior to provide complete details of expenditure incurred on security and protection of foreign missions annually to the Committee in next meeting.
Leader of the House in Senate Syed Nayyer Bukhari asked the concerned officials that they should provide complete and accurate data to standing committees.
Senate Standing Committee on Interior expressed concern over the delay in shifting of foreign diplomatic missions from the capitals residential areas to the Diplomatic Enclave and directed the concerned department to make serious efforts for shifting of foreign mission from residential areas.
Earlier, the committee expressed sorrow and grief over the death of a police official who sustained several injuries during an attack on Religious Ministers few days back.
IGP Islamabad Syed Kaleem Imam said that police have erected police pickets across the city due to current law and order situation.
He said that the capital police is making utmost efforts to combat terrorist and in the last three months they arrested 51 terrorists. On Tuesday night the capital police have arrested five terrorists, he added.
The meeting was attended by Senators Syed Nayyer Bukhari, Jamal Leghari, Sughra Imam, Gulshan Saeed, Dr Abdul Malik, Najma Hameed, representatives of Ministry of Interior and Foreign Office, Chief Commissioner ICT, IGP Islamabad and chairman CDA.