Pakistan Tells Chinese Nationals To Hire Own Security As Terror Incidents Rise

Home dept of Pakistan's Punjab govt has said the government will pay for the security of Chinese nationals working on govt projects but not for those working with private firms.

In the wake of a rise in terrorism-related incidents in the country, the home department of Punjab government in Pakistan is reported to have asked Chinese nationals residing and working with private companies in the province to secure protection from A-category private security companies. 

On Thursday, the department held a meeting with the police to assess the safety of Chinese nationals involved in both government and private projects in the region, news daily Dawn reported on Friday. 

The Punjab government had in 2014 established the Special Protection Unit (SPU) to ensure the security of foreigners working on vital national projects.

According to the Dawn report, the unit has 3,336 security constables, 244 former army personnel, 187 drivers, 20 wireless operators and 7 former army officers in the rank of additional director & deputy director. All of them underwent a six-month, intensive training programme at four police training schools.

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The SPU currently provides security to over 7,500 Chinese nationals working on 31 projects in Punjab, and also to those living in homes and camps at 94 locations in the province, the report said. 

Quoting SPU DIG Agha Yousuf, Dawn said the security of Chinese nationals who are working on government projects has been further strengthened due to a rise in terrorism incidents. 

He, however, said the SPU is only responsible for securing Chinese nationals working on government and China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects, adding that those working with private companies or visiting the country on their own must hire private companies for their security, and the home department would evaluate these firms. 

Yousuf said the government will pay for the security of Chinese nationals working on government projects but not those working with private companies.

“The government also has established the standard operating procedures (SOPs) and the Chinese nationals have been directed to hire A category security companies for their security,” the DIG was quoted as saying.