Pak govt sets up makeshift mart in Islamabad's Diplomatic Enclave for foreign envoys

Islamabad, Sept 29 (ANI): With the objective of ensuring security and safety of the foreign diplomats, the Pakistan Government has reportedly set up a temporary daily mart in Diplomatic Enclave, which houses most of the embassies, to enable the foreign envoys to purchase all commodities of daily use within their residential compound and not move out in busy market areas for shopping.

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Foreign envoys are a scared lot these days, especially after the Hotel Marriott blast which claimed around 60 lives. It was presumed that the foreigners were the main target of the suicide attack as the five-star hotel was frequented by them.

Initially, 30 shops have been set up at the mart where daily use commodities, including, eatables, kitchen accessories and other things, will be sold, reported the Daily Times.

The Capital Development Authority in Islamabad has allotted a piece of land for the mart that will subsequently be converted into one window super store. The establishment of the mart is aimed at facilitating inhabitants of Diplomatic Enclave, added the paper.

Meanwhile, Pakistan's Interior Ministry has dispatched two more letters to the four provincial home departments, calling for more security for American and European nationals, their embassies, consulates and installations.

According to the sources, the first letter said that the Tehreek-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the Hizb-e-Islami Gulbadin group had jointly hatched a conspiracy against American and European installations in the country.

The second letter warned that Al Qaeda and their associate groups also planned to target American and European nationals and their embassies and consulates. It added that both groups had decided to target the foreigners in retaliation to the frequent attacks in the Tribal Areas by the International Security Forces for Afghanistan. (ANI)