LAHORE: Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Amin Wains has warned of strict action against all banks that fail to implement the advisory for security arrangements.

He was addressing at a meeting of zonal heads of different banks on Tuesday.

The zonal head of National Bank of Pakistan, Habib Bank, Muslim Commercial Bank, Allied Bank, Bank AlFalah, Askari Bank, Summit Bank, City Bank, Faysal Bank, Soneri Bank and United Bank Limited were present on the occasion.

The meeting comes a few days after the shooting incident in which three employees of a bank, including operations manager, were killed and four others injured when an armed man attacked a Bank of Punjab branch in Karim Block market, Iqbal Town.

The city police chief had arranged a meeting and directed zonal heads of banks across the city to follow standard operating procedures of security. He once again directed the heads to ensure security at banks particularly installation of vantage points, night vision close circuit cameras and posting security guards outside ATM machines at night.

He also said anyone withdrawing Rs1 million or more from banks should beforehand either contact the respective bank for security personnel to escort him to his destination or ask police for the same. The CCPO said strict action would be taken against the banks and their respective branches that failed to follow the guidelines provided by the police.

He directed bank officials to appoint security guards after verifying their data from the National Database and Registration Authority and police. He also urged banks to avoid making agreements with security companies with a poor repute. He further said high definition close circuit cameras should be installed so anyone visiting banks could be identified.

Wains claimed people involved in robberies outside United Bank Limited`s Shah Alam and Muslim Commercial Bank`s Garhi Shahu branches had been arrested. He also claimed the security guard who had fled af ter breaking the bank locker was a resident of Parachinar,KurramAgency, but there were no other details about him.

He directed the zonal heads to verify whereabouts of all security guards they appoint and police should be taken into confidence after appointments.