Lapses in private security

A MULTIMILLION-rupee bank robbery in Karachi has once again exposed the woeful state of private-security companies in the country.

This time the criminals walked off with Rs9.8m. What is more appalling is that the guards at the premises did not appear to know how to use their weapons. Also, when the panic button was pressed to raise the alarm, it emerged that it had been switched to silent mode. This incident highlights the poor training imparted to private security guards as well as the absence of professionalism that characterises such firms.

Underpaid, overworked and barely trained guards are expected to put up a solid defence against increasingly tech-savvy and ruthless criminals. Statistics underscore the gravity of the situation: private security guards outnumber police officers in Karachi by a ratio of nearly three-to-one. According to official estimates, there are 80,000 security guards in the metropolis as opposed to 29,000 sanctioned police officers. Observers say that in a few years, the number of private security guards will exceed that of police officers throughout the country.

Serious thought must be given to regulating Pakistan’s nearly 600 private security companies. Whenever a high-profile bank heist occurs, officials say they will cancel the licence of the security firm employed to guard the premises. That is not enough. The home department must keep an eye on the recruitment and training methods of security firms to make sure they are hiring capable people and equipping them with the requisite knowledge and tools. It is also troubling that many security companies are not verifying their guards’ particulars with Nadra. The requirement that guards posted at a bank register with the area police station is also not being met. Given the weak enforcement of the rules by the government, banks and other institutions that employ private guards must exercise greater scrutiny at the time of hiring. However, this does not absolve the state of its responsibility of providing security to its citizens. In the long run, the pros and cons of outsourcing security to private firms must be debated.