Punjab police multiplies security for Chinese nationals, CPEC projects

Lahore: Pakistani populous Punjab has multiplied security for the Chinese nationals and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects days after the Dasu bus blast that left nine Chinese and three Pakistanis dead on May 14.

The Punjab police has thoroughly reviewed the security arrangements to ensure fool-proof protection of the Chinese nationals and the multi-billion-dollar CPEC projects.

The Punjab police also decided to enhance security for the Chinese experts working on the CPEC projects and the Chinese investors or businesspersons who visit the province.

The decision comes a few days after nine Chinese nationals and three locals were killed and 28 others sustained injuries when a coach carrying them to an under-construction tunnel site of the 4,300-megawatt Dasu hydropower project fell into a ravine in the Upper Kohistan area after an explosion.

Addressing a high-level security conference of regional and district police officers at the Central Police Office (CPO), Punjab Inspector General of Police (IGP) Inam Ghani directed the senior police command to ensure foolproof security for Chinese experts working on CPEC and non-CPEC projects besides Chinese investors and businesspersons coming to Pakistan.

He said that a fresh security review of all CPEC and private projects of Chinese citizens across the province was being done while scrutiny of the private staff working as focal persons and drivers with the Chinese citizens was being undertaken.

He said all the supervisory officers will review the security arrangements of CPEC projects or other installations in their districts and “if there is a room for further improvement in the security arrangements, it should be ensured on priority basis.”

The IG further said that all private security companies that provide security guards or other staff to the Chinese citizens will be subjected to a fresh security audit. He added that the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD), Special Branch and local police will conduct search, sweep and combing operations in the vicinity of Chinese nationals’ residences, offices, business centres and other projects and these operations will continue on regular basis.

Ghani said the district intelligence committees (DICs) will reconsider whether the Chinese nationals working privately in Pakistan needed security or security arrangements should be increased as per requirement after mutual consultation.