Strict compliance with SOP for Chinese security ordered

Minister vows no leniency for complacency on the issue

ISLAMABAD:

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Saturday chaired a meeting to review the measures taken to protect foreigners, especially the Chinese citizens.

The overall security situation in the country was also reviewed while the minister instructed strict implementation of the SOPs with regard to the security plan of the Chinese nationals working in the country.

The meeting came a day after a high-ranking Chinese official, in a dire warning, had singled out security as the foremost challenge threatening the future of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and emphasised the urgent need for enhanced security protocols and a more supportive business and media environment to ensure the project’s continuation and success.

Liu Jianchao, who is serving as the Minister of Central Committee of the International Department of Communist Party of China, was speaking at the third meeting of the the Pakistan-China Joint Consultative Mechanism, in which representatives from all major Pakistani political parties participated.

“Security threats are the main hazards to CPEC cooperation. As people often say, confidence is more precious than gold. In the case of Pakistan, the primary factor shaking the confidence of Chinese investors is the security situation,” he emphasised.

In recent years, militants have increasingly targeted Chinese projects in Pakistan, including CPEC.

The interior minister said the formulated plan should be regularly monitored at every level and the relevant departments should keep close contact to destroy the nefarious intentions of anti-national elements. “There is no room for any negligence on the security plan.”

Meanwhile a briefing was given on the security plan and the overall situation from the relevant institutions including the Ministry of Interior to the minister.