New security plans afoot for foreigners

Number of foreigners in Rawalpindi region, including Chinese, has exceeded 700

RAWALPINDI:

A decision has been made to restructure the security arrangements for Chinese residents and other foreign tourists residing in the Rawalpindi region.

The step was taken on the directives of the Ministry of Home Affairs. It was decided that foolproof security will be provided to Chinese residents working on various projects, including China-Pakistan-Economic-Corridor (CPEC) so that they can move safely from one area to another. Further Biometric verification has been made mandatory for government and private security personnel before their deployment on security.

Police sources told The Express Tribune that at present the number of foreigners in the Rawalpindi region, including Chinese, has exceeded 700. They added that a database of all foreigners will be set up at Islamabad International Airport on the arrival of foreign tourists and delegations for which special branch Rawalpindi has assigned important responsibilities. Moreover, assistance will be sought from other law enforcement agencies including NADRA for the registration of foreigners.

Police sources went on to say that Chinese residents will be provided with complete information regarding security arrangements at Islamabad Airport. Separate security arrangements will be made for each resident by collecting the travel and residential information of foreigners residing in the garrison city.

Police sources further said that there were a large number of Chinese residents working at various projects in Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum and Chakwal, whose security is the responsibility of the Special Protection Unit (SPU). The CPU consists of police, elite commandos, and other law enforcement personnel.

Accommodation for most Chinese residents has been arranged at the project’s site and foolproof security is being provided for Chinese residents to get from one place to another for various trips.

Sources were quoted as saying that "Significant changes will be made in the security arrangements following the new directives of the federal government in which biometric verification of police or private security guards deployed for the security of foreign nationals has been made mandatory."

All foreigners living in different places in the region will be required to get register themselves with the relevant police station.

Arrangements will also be made during the registration process to ensure that the place of residence of the foreigner remains confidential. Foreign tourists traveling inland from local hotels, bus stands, and railway stations will also have to undergo security checks.

Sources said that a list will be compiled on the return of all foreigners which will be shared with the embassies concerned and the Ministry of Interior.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 22^nd, 2022.