Govt takes nine decisions to tighten security at Secretariat

The government has taken nine decisions to tighten security at the Secretariat, focusing on access control, vehicle management, visitor pass issuance and building-specific security measures.

The decisions were taken at a high-level meeting on strengthening security at the Secretariat held on 4 October, chaired by Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Ghani, according to the minutes of the meeting available yesterday (12 October).

The meeting was attended by the relevant secretaries and the Inspector General of Police.

As per the decisions, police on duty will regularly monitor compliance with instructions on vehicle entry, movement and parking inside the Secretariat premises and take necessary action in case of any violation.

A special parking sticker system will be introduced to ensure orderly and secure vehicle management. No vehicle will be allowed to park or remain inside the Secretariat premises without an authorised parking sticker.

Police will also take necessary measures to regularly monitor and supervise the activities of visitors entering the Secretariat.

The Ministry of Housing and Public Works will take the necessary steps to install separate access control systems at Building No. 1 and other buildings to verify and regulate entry by authorised officials, employees and other individuals.

No official, employee or unauthorised person will be allowed to remain on the Secretariat premises at night without prior approval from the relevant authorities.

Anyone requiring an overnight stay for special reasons must obtain permission in advance.

A separate registration system will be introduced for foreign visitors. Their identities, purposes of visits, relevant officials or offices, and entry and exit details must be properly recorded and preserved.

The meeting also set limits on the number of visitor passes that senior government officials can issue.

Ministers, state ministers, deputy ministers, advisers and special assistants will be allowed to issue a maximum of 10 visitor passes each.

The Cabinet Secretary, Principal Secretary and other senior secretaries and secretaries will be allowed to issue up to five passes each, while additional secretaries can issue three and joint secretaries two.

No visitor will be allowed to enter the Secretariat before 12 noon.

The decisions also stipulate that permanent passes issued to officials and employees will automatically become invalid seven days after their transfer orders take effect.

Members of Parliament entering the Secretariat in their personal vehicles will be allowed to bring only their personal officers and drivers. Their identities and authorisation must be properly verified before entry is granted.