DAWN.COM | National | GHQ to get one Chinese scanner By Mohammad Asghar [/B]
Monday, 28 Dec, 2009 RAWALPINDI, Dec 27: A Chinese X-ray inspection system, recently imported by the government to scan vehicles for explosive and weapons, will be installed at the general headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi, Dawn has learnt.
A senior security official said one of the scanners would be installed at the GHQ main gate to scan vehicles for explosive and weapons before entering the premises.
A senior police official, who requested not to be named, said the government had not discussed its plan to install the latest inspection system in Rawalpindi with them so far. He expressed the hope that the issue might be discussed with them in the forthcoming meeting to be held in the first week of January.
He, however, said there was a dire need for the system in Rawalpindi because it was also an important city.
The government has planned to import 24 X-ray inspection systems from China. Of the 24, two inspection systems have already arrived in Islamabad and one is ready for installation.
One of the inspection systems is moveable and the other one is fixed. The moveable scanning system, installed on a truck, is mostly used at checkposts. Two separate cabins are fixed on the truck; the rear cabin holds the X-ray inspection systems machinery and controls the equipment while the front one monitors the vehicle through the system installed in the cabin.
A 4.6 metre-high vehicle will easily pass under the scanner. Some police officials are getting training from Chinese experts on how to operate the systems and protect themselves from possible radiation from the scanners.
The cost of one system is $3 million excluding the 25 per cent customs duty.
