Army's special security division to protect Chinese workers in Pakistan

Published April 21, 2015
Chinese President Xi Jinping shakes hands with his Pakistani counterpart Mamnoon Hussain in Islamabad. — AP
Chinese President Xi Jinping shakes hands with his Pakistani counterpart Mamnoon Hussain in Islamabad. — AP

ISLAMABAD: The government of Pakistan has granted approval for assigning a division of Pakistan Army's special security for the protection of Chinese citizens working in Pakistan, President Mamnoon Hussain told Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday, during a one-on-one meeting.

The Army has created a special security division for the protection of Chinese engineers, project directors, experts and workers employed on various Chinese funded projects across Pakistan, the president said.

"I am pleased to inform you that the government has accorded approval to provide security to the Chinese working in Pakistan and a special security division has been created for this purpose," President Mamnoon Hussain told Xi Jinping.

Take a look: Xi Jinping's warm welcome in Pakistan

Military spokesman Major General Asim Bajwa while talking to DawnNews confirmed the decision and said Rangers personnel will also be part of this security plan in addition to the army unit.

Military sources said a total of 10,000 troops have been dedicated to this purpose and a two-star senior military officer, who would report directly to the General Headquarters (GHQ), would head this security division.

Out of 10,000 troops, over 5,000 will be from the special services group of Pakistan Army who are specially trained for counter-terrorism and security.

Sources said the Chinese president during talks with Pakistani leadership had raised the issue of security for the Chinese professionals working in Pakistan. He was later assured by President Mamnoon that a decision has been made regarding security which would come into force with immediate effect.

Also read: Pakistan was with us when China stood isolated: Xi Jinping

Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Pakistan on Monday to launch projects worth $46 billion, a figure that would far exceed US spending in Pakistan and underscores China's economic ambitions in Asia and beyond.

Xi oversaw agreements on pipelines, power plants and other projects as part of a massive $46 billion joint development programmme that Beijing hopes will stabilise its longtime ally's economy and extend China's influence in western Asia. Pakistan hopes that the investment plan will end a chronic energy crisis and transform it into a regional economic hub.

Opinion

Editorial

Smog hazard
Updated 05 Nov, 2024

Smog hazard

The catastrophe unfolding in Lahore is a product of authorities’ repeated failure to recognise environmental impact of rapid urbanisation.
Monetary policy
05 Nov, 2024

Monetary policy

IN an aggressive move, the State Bank on Monday reduced its key policy rate by a hefty 250bps to 15pc. This is the...
Cultural power
05 Nov, 2024

Cultural power

AS vital modes of communication, art and culture have the power to overcome social and international barriers....
Disregarding CCI
Updated 04 Nov, 2024

Disregarding CCI

The failure to regularly convene CCI meetings means that the process of democratic decision-making is falling apart.
Defeating TB
04 Nov, 2024

Defeating TB

CONSIDERING the fact that Pakistan has the fifth highest burden of tuberculosis in the world as per the World Health...
Ceasefire charade
Updated 04 Nov, 2024

Ceasefire charade

The US talks of peace, while simultaneously arming and funding their Israeli allies, are doomed to fail, and are little more than a charade.