Staff Report
ISLAMABAD: The federal cabinet, in a meeting held on 3rd July 2023, has approved the enactment of the Private Security Services Regulatory Bill, 2023.
The decision comes as a response to the realization that the current regulatory regime governing private security services lacks comprehensiveness and fails to cover individuals engaged in the provision of security services.
Under the existing regulations, only security companies were being regulated through the “Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) 2020 on issuance of NOC to Private Security Companies,” which is not a statutory document. This regulatory gap raised concerns about the safety of the community, particularly as security companies are deployed on projects of national significance, including the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and non-CPEC projects.
The weak regulatory framework had resulted in security personnel lacking the necessary competence, posing a serious threat to the security of these projects. This concern was raised in meetings of the Joint Working Group between Pakistan and China on the safety and security of CPEC.
To address these issues, the Interior Division prepared a draft Private Security Services Bill, aiming to establish a comprehensive regulatory framework inspired by the practices of the United Kingdom and other developed countries. The proposed legislation would ensure better regulation of security service providers, leading to improved quality and capacity. This, in turn, would enhance security measures and reduce the reliance on Law Enforcement Agencies for project security, thus saving valuable resources.
The approval of the cabinet was sought in accordance with rule 16(1) (a) and the Rules of Business, 1973, to initiate the legislative process required for enacting the Private Security Services Regulatory Bill, 2023.
The cabinet considered the summary submitted by the Interior Division, titled “Enactment of Private Security Services Regulatory Bill, 2023,” and granted approval for the initiation of the legislative process. This decision marks a significant step towards establishing a comprehensive regulatory framework for private security services in Pakistan.
With the enactment of this bill, the government aims to ensure the safety and security of the community while improving the competence and standards of private security service providers. The implementation of this regulatory framework is expected to have a positive impact on the overall security landscape and contribute to the successful execution of vital projects in the country.
