IGP orders foolproof security for Chinese, other foreigners

LAHORE:Inspector General Police (IGP) Punjab Dr Usman Anwar has said that the safety and security of Chinese and foreign nationals is the utmost priority for the police department.

He stressed the importance of strict adherence to security Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to ensure their protection. Dr Usman Anwar directed that security arrangements for Chinese and other foreign nationals be made more effective and completely foolproof across all districts in the province, including Lahore. He insisted on ensuring the use of bulletproof vehicles during the movement of Chinese and foreign nationals. Dr Usman Anwar further instructed that security personnel stationed at residences, project sites, and offices associated with Chinese nationals must remain on high alert. He emphasised that RPOs and DPOs should personally inspect and oversee the security measures in place.

He issued directives to upgrade security infrastructure at Chinese installations, including upgrading CCTV camera systems, improving access points, reinforcing boundary walls, and upgrading watchtowers.

These directives were given during in a meeting here on Tuesday at the Central Police Office, where security matters concerning Chinese and other foreign nationals in Punjab were discussed.

The IGP visited Chinese Consulate in Lahore and met with Deputy Consul General Zhao Ke. He expressed deep sorrow with deputy Chinese Consul General over the deaths of Chinese nationals in Karachi terror attack. Dr Usman Anwar also wrote his condolences in the book.

The IGP said police stand with the Chinese government and the families of the victims during this difficult time. He said that incident is a heinous conspiracy aimed at damaging the brotherly relations between Pakistan and China. Dr Usman Anwar emphasised that the security of Chinese nationals is a top priority and that measures to ensure their safety, particularly in relation to CPEC projects, have been significantly enhanced. Deputy Consul General Zhao Ke expressed satisfaction with the security arrangements for Chinese experts and citizens involved in various projects in Punjab. He said police are providing excellent security for Chinese nationals, their residences, and project sites.

Meanwhile, Capital City Police Officer Bilal Siddique Kamyana presided over a meeting regarding the security of Chinese citizens at his office. The meeting reviewed security measures for Chinese nationals residing in Lahore while discussing strategies to enhance the safety of their residences, movements and travel.

The CCPO emphasised the need for heightened security around the consulates established in the provincial capital. He directed continuous liaison with Chinese citizens, the administration of Chinese installations, focal persons and other law enforcement agencies.

The CCPO directed the SPs to ensure regular inspections of Chinese residences and workplaces. He ordered boosting security measures for both residences and offices of Chinese citizens while implementing the security plans designed for their protection. He reiterated that comprehensive measures have been taken to ensure security for all foreigners, including Chinese citizens. The CCPO stated that providing security for all foreign nationals, including those visiting for business or personal purposes is a vital duty of the Lahore Police. He highlighted that trained personnel from the Special Protection Unit (SPU) are diligently performing security duties for Chinese citizens. SSP (Admin), SSP (Operations) Tassawar Iqbal, SP (Security) Abdul Wahab and divisional SPs (Operations) attended the meeting.