Enhancing security measures for Chinese citizens during the expansion of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)
In a bid to ensure the safety and security of Chinese nationals involved in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects, Pakistan has significantly expanded its security measures. This move comes as the country enters the second phase of CPEC, which focuses on industrial cooperation and socio-economic development.
Key enhancements include the provision of security escorts for Chinese nationals during travel across the country, the implementation of Safe City projects, and the enforcement of special security arrangements addressing potential terrorist threats. These measures aim to protect Chinese nationals from targeted militant attacks, particularly in provinces like Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and urban centers such as Karachi.
The Safe City projects involve the integration of advanced surveillance systems with high-resolution cameras in residential and urban areas, especially within new housing developments for Chinese workers. This ensures continuous monitoring and rapid response capabilities. Nationwide, federal and provincial governments are working in close coordination to maintain full coverage of these security measures.
Moreover, priority facilitation and increased security are being given at airports for the safe arrival and departure of Chinese citizens. In response to Beijing's request, preparations are being made to allow Chinese security personnel to provide on-ground protection. This push comes after a bombing at the Karachi airport last October that killed two Chinese engineers.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has emphasised the top priority of protecting Chinese nationals to ensure the smooth continuation and expansion of bilateral cooperation under CPEC Phase II. He directed relevant ministries to prioritise Chinese passenger facilitation at airports and stated that they are building a safe and business-friendly environment for the Chinese community in Pakistan.
CPEC, a $60 billion project launched in 2015, is part of China's global Belt and Road Initiative. It links western China to Pakistan's Arabian Sea port of Gwadar through a network of roads, railways, and energy infrastructure. The project is seen as a potential economic lifeline for Pakistan but has brought Chinese nationals under attack from separatist militants.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi briefed PM Shehbaz Sharif on the current security arrangements for Chinese nationals, while Beijing has been pushing Pakistan to allow its own security staff to protect Chinese citizens working on CPEC projects. The government's efforts are aimed at enhancing industrial capacity, agricultural development, and social well-being in Pakistan under CPEC Phase II, which also emphasises job creation, technology transfer, and increased export capacity.
- To fortify the security of Chinese nationals engaged in the CPEC projects, the Safe City projects integrate advanced surveillance systems with high-resolution cameras in residential and urban areas, particularly within new housing developments for Chinese workers, ensuring continuous monitoring and quick response capabilities.
- In a great leap towards safety, federal and provincial governments are intensifying their collaboration to implement special security arrangements, including security escorts during travel and the enforcement of strict security measures to address potential terrorist threats, focusing on provinces like Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and urban centers such as Karachi.
- To emulate a secure environment for Chinese investment, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed relevant ministries to prioritize Chinese passenger facilitation at airports, with plans underway to allow Chinese security personnel to provide on-ground protection, following the recent bombing at the Karachi airport.
- Aiming to foster a conducive setting for business expansion, Shehbaz Sharif emphasises the importance of protecting Chinese nationals under CPEC Phase II, promoting a business-friendly society and working towards the creation of jobs, technology transfer, and increased export capacity, advancing industrial capacity, agricultural development, and the overall socio-economic development of Pakistan.
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