August 04, 2007	Saturday	Rajab 19, 1428

ISLAMABAD, Aug 3: Pakistan and China have decided to form a joint task force to ensure foolproof security for Chinese nationals working in Pakistan. Interior Ministry spokesman Brig Javed Iqbal Cheema told Dawn on Friday that the two countries would soon sign an MOU in this regard. The task force was being formed on the desire of Chinese government and it had sent its proposals to Islamabad for preparing the draft of the MOU, he said, adding that the preparation of the draft was in final stage.

The spokesman said the task force was being formed both on federal and provincial levels.

Interior secretary Syed Kamal Shah and Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Luo Zhahui would be heads of the task force at federal level while in provinces different Chinese councillors and provincial home secretaries would work as its members.

The task force will form strategies and provide guidelines to security agencies for the safety of Chinese nationals. The force will also arrange meetings in this regard.

Meanwhile, sources say that the government has increased ‘invisible security’ of all Chinese nationals working in the country after an increase in the incidents of attacks on them.

The source said the interior ministry had directed intelligence agencies to provide complete information about Chinese nationals in Pakistan.

According to a report submitted to the interior ministry by a civil intelligence agency, some 400 Chinese nationals are residing only in Islamabad and their total number in whole country is stated to be over 3,000.

The sources said under the invisible security cover, the movement and activities of Chinese nationals were being monitored.

The intelligence agency has informed the government that Chinese nationals have been provided private security guards in their offices and recreational places. However, the agency has recommended police security arrangements in these places on weekends.