Pakistan steps up security for Chinese nationals across the country
Gwadar: Pakistan has beefed up security of the Chinese national across the country, a day after the tragic attack in Besham.
Chairman Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA), Engineer Lieutenant General Sajjad Ghani (retd), visited the Dasu Hydropower Project to express solidarity with the Chinese engineers and workers serving at the project
The visit came after a terrorist attack near Besham in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, killing five Chinese and a local on their way to Dasu Hydropower Project site from Islamabad the other day, said a news release.
China’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Jiang Zaidong together with Chairman Ghani spent time with Chinese workforce at the project site.
At the Construction Camp of China Gezhouba Group Company (CGGC) – Contractor of Dasu Hydropower Project – the Chairman condemning the tragic incident, offered condolence on behalf of WAPDA over the loss of lives.
“Our sympathies are with the bereaved families in this time of trial. The law enforcement agencies are vehemently investigating the terrorist incident, and we hope the culprits found involved in it, will soon be brought to justice,” he added.
WAPDA is in close coordination with the quarters concerned to further beef up the security arrangements in order to avoid such untoward incident in future” he said.
Chairman WAPDA lauded the Chinese firms for their contribution in implementing the projects – that of water and hydropower in particular – crucial for development of Pakistan. The leading Chinese firms are engaged in constructing a number of WAPDA projects including Dasu, destined to provide much needed water and low cost energy for economic stability and social uplift in the country.
“We are confident that such cowardly attacks by the enemies of Pak-China friendship are undoubtedly bound to fail in derailing the mutual cooperation meant for stability and progress of Pakistan” the WAPDA Chairman further said.
In Faisalabad, Senior Superintendent Police (SSP) Operations Hasan Javaid Bhatti said that security of Chinese engineers working at various projects in Faisalabad district had been increased.
Presiding over a meeting at FIEDMC City here on Wednesday afternoon, he reviewed the security arrangements and expressed satisfaction.
However, he directed the security officers to tighten security by ensure three-layer security including police security, private guard and armed security personnel for Chinese.
He also ordered the police officers to keep the security at high alert during movement and traveling of Chinese from one site to another.
“No negligence, lethargy and delinquency would be tolerated at any cost in this regard,” he warned.
He said that Chinese were playing their roles for national development of Pakistan. Hence, their safety and security was the prime responsibility of the police department.
In Multan, City Police Officer Sadiq Ali on Wednesday afternoon visited the residences of Chinese engineers and experts and reviewed security arrangements for their protection.
During the visit, the CPO discussed security arrangements and other related matters with Chinese engineers and experts and said that they could call police any time for any facility they needed anywhere, a police spokesperson said.
Sadiq Ali mentioned that smart and active policemen have been deployed for Chinese experts’ security while patrolling police have also been ordered to ensure frequent patrolling.
The CPO acknowledged the role of Chinese engineers and experts from varied sectors in the country’s infrastructure development, adding that their protection was the police’s prime responsibility and promised to take all measures required for their safety.
