Islamabad: The Pakistan government today
warned the staff of foreign missions not to move around with
unlicensed arms after two men from the Netherlands embassy,
carrying sophisticated weapons, were detained by authorities
in a high-security zone.
Interior Minister Rehman Malik said no foreigner will be
allowed to carry and display weapons without licenses as this
amounted to a violation of the law. Strict action will be
taken against persons who violate the law, he said.
The Interior Ministry has sent a letter to the Foreign
Ministry to prohibit diplomats from publicly displaying arms.
"Foreign diplomats will not be allowed to openly carry
weapons," Malik said, while speaking in the Senate or Upper
House of Parliament.
Malik's remarks came a day after security officials
detained two members of the staff of the Netherlands embassy
in a sensitive area between Marriott Hotel and the Pakistan
Secretariat, which houses offices of top ministers.
Handguns, smoke grenades, flash bombs and bulletproof
jackets were found in their car. The two men were released
following the intervention of top diplomats from the Dutch and
US embassies.
Bureau Report
First Published: Wednesday, October 07, 2009, 21:28