Guards in Pak private security firms have links to militant outfits

Some other guards have been found to have been proclaimed and court absconders in different cases of heinous crimes

Private security firms in Pakistans Punjab province will be subjected to police scrutiny after it was learnt that many of their guards either belonged to banned militant outfits or were court-martialled and absconders of the Pakistani army.

Some other guards have been found to have been proclaimed and court absconders in different cases of heinous crimes,The Express Tribune daily said. A circular has been sent out to all regional and district offices of Special Branch (SB) of the Punjab Police,by its headquarters,giving a questionnaire for them to fill out,the report said quoting sources.

Reports say that a large number of guards of private security agencies have been deployed on sensitive points,including national and multinational companies,foreign missions,banks,and hotels across the province.

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In another development,Pakistani military authorities have decided to curtail the activities of a proselytising organisation in their ranks after intelligence reports warned that its growing influence in the armed forces would have serious implications.

The Dawat-e-Islami,an apolitical Barelvi proselytising organisation,had never been under strict watch until now,primarily because of its non-violent religious views. This changed after Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer was assassinated in January by a police guard believed to be a follower of Dawat-e-Islami.

Mumtaz Hussain Qadri,the self-confessed assassin,is believed to be the first person affiliated with Dawat-e-Islami to publicly use violence. According to an intelligence report,the contents of which were shared with The Express Tribune,the influence of Dawat-e-Islami is increasing in the armed forces. Over Rs 20 million were collected from the Pakistan Air Force for the organisation during the month of Ramazan, said an unnamed security official.