KARACHI: Authorities of the Sindh police decided on Friday to depute 1,000 commandos for the security of Chinese nationals already working on different projects and those likely to come here in connection with the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

A high-level meeting chaired by Inspector General of Police Ghulam Hyder Jamali also decided to recruit 2,000 retired soldiers on a contract basis to overcome the shortage of policemen in the province.

The meeting reviewed the security arrangements for the Chinese nationals expected to visit Sindh in connection with the CPEC projects.

The meeting was attended by Additional IG-Special Branch, DIG-Headquarters, DIGs and other senior police officials.

DIG-Rapid Response Force Dr Amin Yusufzai, who was nominated as the focal person for the very purpose, informed the meeting that 500 police commandos had already been placed at his disposal for the security of Chinese nationals in the province.

He submitted a draft of the standard operating procedure for the security of Chinese nationals currently living in Sindh and as well as for those coming to the province for CPEC projects.

The IGP constituted a committee, to be headed by the additional IG of the special branch with DIG-RRF, DIG-Administration and three zonal DIGs as its members, to review and submit the final SOP within a week.

IGP Jamali directed the DIG-Sindh Reserve Police to immediately place 500 policemen at the disposal of DIG-RRF for the security of Chinese nationals in the province.

The meeting decided to appoint at least 2,000 retired soldiers on a contract basis to cope with the manpower shortage and in this regard a summary would be floated to the Sindh government shortly.

The IGP directed for immediate establishment of a dedicated provincial foreigners security cell at the Central Police Office and districts foreigners security cells in each and every district for ensuring security for some 1,600 Chinese nationals already working on 125 different projects.

“Once the SOP is finalised and issued, the consul general of China and administration heads of various projects should be informed accordingly,” the IG added.

Published in Dawn, August 1st, 2015

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