https://arab.news/gbrvw
- Sindh Police reviews security measures for Chinese nationals amid increase in attacks targeting them
- Intelligence agencies conducting security audit of guards hired to protect Chinese nationals, say police
KARACHI: Companies, organizers, hosts, sponsors and any other entities in Pakistan that employ Chinese nationals are being asked to hire the services of former military personnel for security purposes, Sindh Police said this week amid increasing attacks on Chinese citizens in the country.
A string of recent attacks on Chinese nationals in Pakistan have caused Beijing to worry about the security of its citizens. Separatist militants in Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province have carried out attacks against Chinese interests this year, blaming Islamabad and Beijing for exploiting the gas-and-oil-rich province. Both deny the allegations.
Last month, a suicide blast near the airport in Pakistan’s southern port city of Karachi killed two Chinese engineers while a security guard shot and injured two Chinese nationals in Karachi this month.
Sindh Inspector General of Police Ghulam Nabi Memon held a meeting at the Central Police Office in Karachi on Thursday to review the security of Chinese nationals in the province.
“DIG Special Protection Unit, while briefing the committee formed to review security measures of Chinese citizens, said the Internal Bureau and Special Branch are conducting a security audit of the private security guards assigned to protect Chinese citizens,” a statement from the police said on Friday evening.
“While project organizers, hosts/sponsors are also being made to hire the services of ex-military servicemen.”
The statement said that the SPU would conduct joint training exercises continuously to meet any emergency security situation.
“A hotline number has been provided for the facilitation of Chinese citizens and for immediate contact with law enforcement agencies,” it said.
“He further said that suggestions have also been given to project owners/sponsors to strictly implement security standard operating procedures, including a security audit of private security companies.”
China is a major ally and investor in Pakistan that has pledged over $65 billion in investment in road, infrastructure and development projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project, at the heart of which lies the Gwadar port in Balochistan.
Pakistan says attacks targeting Chinese nationals are aimed at disrupting its relations with China and destabilizing CPEC.