Security Specialist Reassures Corporations of Operational Stability in Karachi

Friday’s double bombing in the Pakistani city of Karachi draws further attention to the continuing sectarian tension between the Shia and Sunni communities of this sprawling city of 18 million people.

In December, The Anvil Group distributed an alert to clients with operations in Pakistan warning that attacks were being planned against targets in Karachi, and specifically at religious gatherings. Although recent attacks have been mostly politically motivated, intelligence suggests that Pakistani Taliban fighters are moving to Karachi from the country’s tribal northwest to escape U.S. drone attacks and military action by Pakistani troops that began in October last year. “We continue to support our corporate clients working in the country through the provision of a range of security services for employees and expatriates, including close protection and the sourcing and maintaining of safe long-term accommodation” said Ian Hughes, Operations Director, The Anvil Group. “Although the threat level for Pakistan remains high, it is our experience that business can continue with the minimum of disruption, providing crucial local level knowledge is maintained and areas of high risk avoided”, he continued. It was reported over the weekend that for the first time ever, a mixture of petrol and deadly C4 explosives were used to maximise the impact of both blasts. A leading criminology expert in Karachi called for the banning of religious and political gatherings while military operations continue. Ends