SOP- SECURITY GUIDELINES – FOREIGNER CONSULTANTS

SOP- SECURITY GUIDELINES – FOREIGNER CONSULTANTS

 

1. Purpose: This SOP has been formulated to provide security guidelines for our Foreign Consultants and their families (if any) to identify and mitigate any security risk/threat during their stay in Karachi. This document consists of following parts.

1. Introduction to Karachi Part I
2. Security Instructions                                          Part II
3. List of Sensitive Locations Part III
4. Emergency Evacuation Plan Part IV
5. List of Telephone Number Part V

PART I

INTRODUCTION TO KARACHI

1. General

 

Karachi is located in the south of Pakistan, on the coast of the Arabian Sea. It is the provincial capital of Sindh also the biggest and only port city of Pakistan. Its geographic coordinates are 24°51′ N 67°02′ E.

It is bounded by Dadu District in the north-east, Thatta District in the south-east, the Arabian Sea to the south and the Lasbela District of Baluchistan Province to the west. Karachi has a moderately temperate climate. The hottest months are May and June when the mean maximum temperature reaches 35ºC whereas, January is the coolest month of the year and the rainy season is in July and August.

2. Karachi as a Metropolitan City

 

Karachi being a metropolitan city is the hub of business activities.The city has a population of more than fifteen million with considerable number of migrants’ coming from different parts of the country to earn their livelihood. These migrants belong to different linguistic, culture and traditions and have mainly settled down in slum areas particularly in the outskirts of Karachi. Thus dividing the city into ethnic and linguistic groups, causing unrest and periodic strikes over issues directly or indirectly related to their livelihood.

Criminal violence is also common including street crimes, carjacking, robbery, kidnapping and murder. The city is also plagued with target killings, drug trafficking, arms smugglers and land mafia.

As a consequence, it is difficult to predict the overall security situation in the city and a certain degree of preventive measures/awareness is required before visiting the city. List of sensitive/trouble spots is attached at Annexure A &B to this SOP, visit to such places be avoided particularly once city is marred with deteriorated law and order situation to ensure security and safety of the individual.

3.Roads/Highways Important road/arteries are as follow.

 

1. Sharah -e- Faisal ( Hotel Metropole – Airport)
2. National Highway (Airport Traffic Signal – Thatta)
3. Korangi Road (FTC Flyover- Korangi / Landhi Industrial Area)
4. Sharah- e- Quaideen ( Embassy Hotel Sharah e Faisal- Quaid-e- Azam Mausoleum)
5. A. Jinnah Road (Quaid-e-Azam – Mausoleum – Tower)
6. Sharah- e –Pakistan (Karimabad – Sohrab Goth)
7. Shaheed e– Millat ( Baloch Colony – Quaid e Azam Mausoleum)
8. Super Highway (Sohrab Goth – Hyderabad)

5. Shopping Mall/Arcade. Following Shopping Malls/Arcades may be visited

               

1. Clifton less Gizri
2. DHA
3. Zainab Market (Saddar)
4. Zaib un Nisa Street (Saddar)
5. Tariq Road

6. Main Hospitals
7. Agha Khan
8. South City
9. 100 Bed (Pakistan Steel)
10. 7. Ports
11. Quaid-e- Azam International Airport
12. Karachi Port (Sea)
13. Bin Qasim
14. Hotel
15. Pearl Continental
16. Sherton
17. Avari
18. Hoilday Inn
19. Ramadas

9.Clubs

1. Sindh Club
2. Karachi Club
3. Creek Club
4. DHA Golf Club
5. ASCC

Part II

Security Instructions

1. General Conduct and Dress Code
2. During stay in city, follow culture, values and dress as far as possible
3. Be polite and decent. Avoid discussing religion, culture, political and ethnic issues in public
4. Dress properly particularly leaving out of living room/premises. Men and women should cover their shoulders and knee when out of their living room
5. During Ramadan avoid eating, drinking, smoking between sunrise and sunset at public places
6. Drinking in open is illegal, possession of even small quantities of illegal drugs is prohibited
7. Carrying of arm/weapon without license is prohibited

 

2. Traveling

 

1. Always drive at the safest possible speed
2. Use main roads/highways, refrain using deserted road/lane particularly during night
3. Travel by different routes at different timings, if possible
4. Keep a low profile and avoid large gatherings or crowds
5. Travel with at least 3/4 tank fuel
6. Avoid refueling from deserted Petrol pumps; avoid using same petrol pump, if possible
7. Keep all doors locked and window glass closed
8. Never sit and wait on parked vehicle with engine off/ on
9. Change vehicle if available at random(Senior Executive Only)
10. Follow principle of “Need to Know Basis”  while revealing travelling and domestic schedules
11. Take particular care to safeguard your passport, bankcards, bags, jewellery, laptops and mobiles
12. Avoid carrying excess cash and family photographs  in the wallet/purse
13. In case of being followed rush to the nearest safe heaven i.e. police station, Mall, Hotels, etc.
14. Refrain from any resistance if confronted with street crime
15. Refrain driving during strong rain, move after getting clearance of overall road condition
16. Do not use same public/hotel parking slot on regular basis
17. Carry First Aid Box, Umbrella, Emergency light, Fuel can (plastic)in the vehicle
18. Never walk alone & avoid walking at night
19. Travelling Documents
20. Always carry a photo id and a photocopy of Passport data page for identification purposes
21. Never handover travelling documents to any unauthorized person nor leave them unattended
22. Original travelling documents should be kept under lock  and will not be carried along
23. Passport must be valid for a minimum of six months at the time of applying for visa

4. Family Security

1. Never leave children in the parked vehicle
2. Children should not pick up suspicious items lying within the vicinity of the house
3. Avoid discussion on domestic issues in presence of driver while travelling
4. Instruct school management about authorized person to pick up the children
5. Avoid receiving parcels directly, guards should be asked to scan with metal detector
6. Avoid accepting damage parcel/mail unless concerned courier service certify it authentication
7. Avoid telephone conversation close to door/window or in presence of domestic servants
8. Don’t respond unidentified callers, discourage children to answer the door intercom/telephone

 

5. Living Area/Residence (Single/With Family)

 

1. Use only main entrance for ingress/egress
2. Avoid sharing code word of Burglar Alarm and personnel information even with domestic servants/guard/drivers
3. Never open the door to unidentified caller/visitors, use door peep hole
4. Strengthen doors, windows with double locks/chain
5. Hired house with boundary walls of 9 feet height or increase height by laying and fixing of iron grills on ground floor
6. Full use of curtains & blinds to conceal/blind interior observation
7. Fix Anti Shattering Film on window panes and glass door
8. Check/Test Security gadgets (CCTV and Burglar Alarm) on regular basis
9. Don’t lit cigarette and operate gas/electric cooking range/heater after spraying insecticides or any spray
10. In case of absence for longer duration arrange trustworthy person for house sitting
11. Avoid setting pattern for light off/on, replace burned light
12. Fix Emergency lights in all rooms staircase, car porch etc.
13. Perimeter light to remain lit throughout the night with no blind spots
14. Place fire extinguishers at strategic points particularly kitchen and upstairs
15. All bushes, tree branches protruding outer perimeter wall to be cut /trimmed
16. All drainages, main holes to be covered and secured
17. Ensure litter are cleaned on daily basis, don’t place Trash/Garbage Bin near entrance
18. Store generator fuel in an isolated point having limited access
19. Maintain updated Emergency telephone numbers near Telephone Desk
20. Linking of Main gate camera with TV/LCD channel
21. Control movements of maid servants and other domestic employees within the residence
22. Register name of domestic servants and private drivers in concerned Police Station

 

1. Safe Room

 

1. Should be selected in a centrally located place preferably in first floor with strong door and multiple locks to retreat in case of emergency
2. Ensure dual communication facilities

• Ensure availability of TV/Telephone sets with sockets and maintain stock of edibles for minimum two weeks

1. Have alternative lighting and first aid arrangements such as torches, emergency light with chargers, candles and first aid box filled with essential medicaments.

6. Hotel

 

1. Should be located in a secure area preferably within the precincts of Red Security Zone
2. Reserve room preferably between 6th and 10th floors and close to emergency exit/staircase
3. Avoid room with adjoining balconies on either side
4. When entering an elevator, stand next to the lift control switches
5. Read Fire and Safety instructions and follow the instructions accordingly
6. Leave instructions not to give out your name or room number to any visitor until and unless specifically directed
7. Always keep the room locked with bolt and safety chain and use door peep-hole for identification of visitors
8. Never enter inside the room if you suspect someone is inside, call attendant
9. Avoid guests inside the room unless having strong acquaintance, use lobby for informal meetings
10. Office

 

1. Office of Senior Executive/Director office should be preferably on first floor
2. Safe Room (if any) and PA office should also be adjacent to Director office
3. Make sure there is a clear exit route from the work station to the Exit door and be aware of Emergency Exit route
4. Do not allow visitors to wait in the office unattended to prevent eavesdropping
5. Adhere to the Company security instructions related to disposal of waste paper, wearing of ID, handling of visitors,
6. Don’t disclose confidential information to a stranger, no matter how important the person appears
7. Lock personal letterhead, stamp and business cards to avoid misuse
8. Let your workplace know your schedule and where you are at any given time
9. Avoid meeting unknown persons at unknown locations
10. Try to memorize all office, home, emergency phone numbers, etc.
11. Avoid media/press statement; follow the Media Policy of the Company
12. Carry out a clean desk policy & use shredders/ safes
13. Don’t leave laptop, mobile and other valuables unattended

.

8. Prohibited Areas. Following places are placed OUT OF BOUND for visits. However, these locations can only be officially visited after seeking permission from Ministry of Defense/Ministry of Interior/Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

1. Military Headquarters /Units/Establishments/Depot
2. Pakistan Navy
3. Pakistan Air Force
4. Any installation being under Ministry of Defense
5. Communication Centres
6. Prohibited Sites

 

9. Photography Restrictions It is strictly forbidden to take snap/prepare movie of following locations.

 

1. Military Headquarters/Establishments/Installation.
2. Airports/Air base/Seaports
3. Communication Infrastructure/Centre

10. Information required to be protected

 

1. Company’s Security procedures
2. Residential information.
3. Family Members identities
4. Habits, social activities, Travel patterns.

 

11. Emergency Movement Control Drill. Refer Part V