Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar on 14-July-2025 ordered a crackdown on illegal security companies, as he held a meeting on the private security companies operating across the province.
Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Iqbal Memon gave a detailed briefing on private security companies, saying that 302 companies are registered at provincial level, while 41 have been issued with show-cause notices, and the licences of 36 have been revoked.
Lanjar said that the law about private security companies is under review, and work is being done to introduce the necessary amendments. He stressed devising a fresh SOP for all private security companies.
He said that it must also be decided where security guards would be formally trained. He stressed his commitment to bringing all the affairs and actions of private security companies within the legal and regulatory framework.
He announced forming a committee to streamline the operations of private security companies. He said that this committee would submit a report on the complete inspection of the companies within 30 days. Legal action will be taken against illegal companies, he added.
He also said the committee would comprise the special secretary (home), the coordinator to the home minister, and representatives of the Special Branch and other law enforcement agencies.
He also directed the establishment of a dedicated desk for private security companies, saying that he would personally monitor the desk set up in his office. Sindh police chief Ghulam Nabi Memon said that the process of police inspecting private security companies is underway. The employee verification management system is being used to verify the credentials of security guards, he added.
IGP Memon said that through the system, verification and registration of all security guards’ complete data has been made mandatory for every private security company. Separately, Karachi police chief Javed Alam Odho chaired a meeting at the Karachi Police Office to discuss the overall law and order situation and crime prevention.
The meeting reviewed the situation of street crime, gutka, drugs, murders, ransom kidnappings and other crimes. They analysed the reasons for high-profile cases, progress in investigations, and cases pending with courts.
Addl IG Odho ordered intensifying indiscriminate and effective action against criminals on a priority basis. He also ordered preparing a coordinated and comprehensive strategy to restore law and order in the city.
Published in News Daily on 15 July 2025.