The Sindh government has cancelled the licences of 36 private security companies and issued show-cause notices to 41 others for failing to follow provincial regulations, officials said on Monday.
At a meeting chaired by Home Minister Zia Lanjar, it was revealed that 302 private security agencies are currently registered in the province. Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Muhammad Iqbal Memon and Inspector General of Police Ghulam Nabi Memon also attended the meeting.
According to the IGP, private security firms are expected to work under a clear legal framework, and the home department holds the authority to cancel licences if companies do not comply. The recent actions were taken against firms that failed to meet these standards.
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Ongoing inspections are being conducted using the Employee Verification Management System (EVM), which requires companies to register their staff and verify employee details. This system aims to ensure that only properly vetted guards are deployed.
The meeting also agreed on updating the rules and standard operating procedures (SOPs) that govern private security agencies. A committee was formed to inspect all registered security companies within 30 days. This committee includes officials from the home department, Special Branch, and other law enforcement agencies.
Home Minister Lanjar stressed the importance of formal training for security personnel and said all private security operations must work within a transparent and legal system. He also announced a dedicated desk for private security firms under his direct supervision.