The “Blue Book protocol” is an official classified manual that specifies the detailed processes and procedures in place for the security of VVIPs (Very Very Important People) in Pakistan including Heads of State, Foreign Heads of State, senior political figures, and other important targets.
The manual addresses all forms of security arrangements, deployment, travel routes, convoy management, access control measures for security restricted areas, and emergency response plans. This document serves as the official guideline of reference for VIP security in Pakistan and thus must be adhered to by any government agency during high profile events or visits.
The protocol has made headlines for its recent invocation in Islamabad during the negotiations between the United States and Iran, where Pakistan’s capital was placed on red alert. As a result, there were more than 10,000 police officers assigned to security duty, major routes were closed, and strict movement restrictions were in place for delegates visiting Pakistan under Blue Book protocol. This further illustrates the extreme importance and sensitivity of this event.
What happens under Blue Book security?
When the Blue Book protocol is activated, a multi-layered security system comes into play:
1. Partnerships in Security: Police, military and other kinds of armed forces work together to provide both multiple layers and diverse types of security for venues and the routes leading to them.
2. Restricted Movement Zones: Restricted movement areas—including the restricted area in Islamabad—have restricted access. There’s a verification process for those gaining entry. Vehicle traffic will be moved or stopped completely.
3. VVIP Travel Routes: Designated and monitored travel routes will be set aside for VVIPs and will be cleared prior to the VVIP’s arrival. Law enforcement personnel will be stationed along the route.
4. Security Plan: The dignitary will be assigned a dedicated team of security personnel to accompany him/her while he/she is travelling. Certain limitations and restrictions will apply to those same personnel that are travelling with the dignitary (e.g., in some cases, no electronic equipment may be on their person). The Blue Book includes confidential and detailed information.
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The Blue Book Is Classified:
The Blue Book is a classified government document that is not available to the public. The Blue Book contains:
- The Security Plan
- Protocol for VIP Guests and Other Important Events
- Guidelines for Receiving and Escorting Dignitaries
The Blue Book must be followed by the Government and Law Enforcement Agencies providing VIP service.
The Pakistani and Indian Blue Books are similar to each other in that they contain the same information pertaining only to VIP security; however, Pakistan has an additional book (the Yellow Book), which is used exclusively for protecting other VIPs who may be at risk from an act of violence.
The two documents share similarities in the following areas:
- Threat assessment
- Route planning
- Coordination and Communication between Agencies
Criticism and Concerns by the Public
The Blue Book provides a high level of security, however there are also significant criticisms associated with the Blue Book including:
- Public inconvenience due to road closures and increased traffic congestion
- VIP culture associated with the average citizen having too many special privileges compared to others
- Over-securitisation due to the large number of law enforcement officers deployed to ensure and/or provide security to a particular person; this has a negative impact on the day-to-day lives of most citizens.
As a result of this discussion, there have been instances in the past where the questioning of the importance and/or necessity of the extensive protocols associated with providing VIP protection have been brought forth due to the negative effect that they have on the average citizen.
Conclusion
The “Blue Book Protocol” forms a core component of the VVIP Security Framework in Pakistan, designed specifically to mitigate potential threats and facilitate the safe passage of political dignitaries during high-level visits to Pakistan. The most recent instance of the Blue Book Protocol being invoked is during the course of recent international diplomatic negotiations indicating how highly those in power in Pakistan value these types of events.
The Blue Book Protocol serves to illustrate the ongoing struggle between security-based mandates and the convenience of the public, and as a result, it continues to be a topic of ongoing debate within Pakistan’s governance framework as well as in the civic sphere.
