China reassured of tight security for corridor

This was communicated to Chinese Vice Minister of State Security Dong Haizhou visiting the army chief at the GHQ

ISLAMABAD: Army Chief General Raheel Sharif on Wednesday promised ‘foolproof security’ for the multibillion dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project.

This was communicated to Chinese Vice Minister of State Security Dong Haizhou visiting the army chief at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi, said the military’s media wing.

“Matters relating to bilateral interest, regional security and security of CPEC came under discussion during the meeting,” an Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) statement said.

Pakistan and China signed the historic CPEC during the visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Islamabad.  The CPEC envisages integrated links to Chinese One Road, One Belt and 21st Century Maritime Silk Route.

With active consultation of Chinese authorities, Pakistan has prepared a plan to construct three corridors namely the western alignment, the central alignment and the eastern alignment. The last one has been picked for development in the first phase.

However, security situation has been the major challenge for the project as government claimed that many hostile intelligence agencies, including those from India, are making attempts to undermine the project.

India publicly opposed the project and feared that the CPEC could be used by Pakistan and China for military purposes in future. Pakistan dismissed the allegations and insisted that the project is about regional connectivity and economic development.

According to an official aware of the proceedings, General Raheel said Pakistan would take all required efforts to ensure security for the project.

He informed the Chinese vice minister that special force comprising army, paramilitary and police force will guard the CPEC to prevent unfortunate instances.