JWG formed on security of Chinese, NA panel told

ISLAMABAD:

Pakistan and China formed a joint working group (JWG) on the security for the Chinese nationals working in Pakistan, the National Assembly Standing Committee on Planning and Development was informed on Wednesday.

During a committee meeting, with its chairman Abdul Qadir Gilani in the chair, the planning secretary admitted that China had expressed concern regarding the security of its citizens in Pakistan. The committee summoned the interior secretary on China's concerns.

The committee rejected the briefing on the CPEC and other related matters. The planning secretary said a JWG had been formed, adding that a meeting of the group was held recently, which was attended by the interior secretary.

The planning secretary emphasised that the interior ministry played a leading role in protecting the Chinese companies and citizens in Pakistan, and suggested to the committee to seek further briefing from the interior ministry officials, preferably the interior secretary.

Committee member Dawar Kundi raised the issue of non-completion of the western route of the CPEC projects. The planning ministry officials said that in 11 JWGs on CPEC had been formed, but the JWG on long-term planning had held only two meetings.

The committee members said that details of the ongoing funds for the projects by PWD had not been provided to them. The chair instructed the PWD to provide the details sought by committee members.