Top priority: New security wing suggested for Chinese workers

Chinese nationals working on public projects will be provided security by the Punjab govt

LAHORE: Authorities have decided to establish a dedicated and independent security wing to increase security for Chinese nationals working in Punjab.

The new wing is being established under the Home Department in anticipation of the expected arrival of thousands of Chinese workers for CPEC.

The prepared summary demands an independent wing, manned by an additional secretary, a deputy secretary and three section officers for the security of around 11,000 Chinese currently working in Punjab.

Earlier this month, the Home Department moved the subject of foreign security from Internal Security to the Defence Planning wing. A police officer of BPS-19 from the Punjab Police would assist the new security wing after it is established.

In 2014, the Punjab Police established the Special Protection Unit (SPU) for foreigners in the province. According to the Punjab Information Secretary Raja Jahangir, around 60,000 Chinese would arrive in Pakistan by mid-2018.

He said an additional influx of around 5,000 Chinese nationals would be for CPEC and its adjoining projects. He said the security of these foreigners was a top priority of the Punjab government, He said concrete steps were necessary for the purpose. Currently, the SPU was operating with a strength of 5,000 personnel of which many were ex-army men. He said the strength of the SPU would also be increased accordingly.

In 2016, the provincial government had briefed Pakistan’s foreign office in China about security arrangements made for Chinese workers in Punjab.

Chinese nationals intending to visit Pakistan were briefed during the visa process about security arrangements and the safe environment in the province. The home secretary led the visit to China to brief the foreign office staff about these measures.

A desk was also established at airports in Punjab where the foreigners could get themselves registered and from there onwards the security of Chinese nationals working on public projects becomes the responsibility of the Punjab government. On the other hand, the safety of those working on private projects would be the responsibility of the businessmen hosting them.

Currently, around 70% of 11,000 Chinese nationals were working on public sector projects, mostly related to power.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 30^th, 2017.