Chinese proposal for joint security firm under study, NA panel told

ISLAMABAD: Amid increased security concerns, China has proposed a joint venture security company and such a mechanism is currently under consideration, the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Planning Development was informed on Tuesday.

In a briefing to the NA panel, Director Nacta Col Usman told the committee there were 20,000 Chinese nationals in Pakistan, including 2,700 who were working on CPEC projects and remaining on non-CPEC projects as well as those scattered in their individual capacity. The standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the security of Chinese nationals have been revised/updated in recent months in consultation with the Chinese Embassy to provide foolproof security.

The Ministry of Interior officials told the committee the federal cabinet had granted approval for compensation of $250,000 in case of death of a Chinese national. They said Islamabad was developing an online Application (App) for Chinese nationals to get themselves registered and inform about their movements.

Sharing details of terrorist attacks, the committee was told a total of 14 attacks have occurred against the Chinese since 2021 — two in KP, four in Balochistan and eight in Sindh. In these attacks, 20 Chinese were killed and 34 injured, while eight Pakistanis lost their lives and 25 injured.

Terrorist outfits were active in south Balochistan and a threat was also in the north. A considerable presence of Chinese in northern KP and Gilgit-Baltistan also made them vulnerable.

The Nacta officials said Karachi was the main focus of terrorist organisations to cause damage to Chinese interests. “Hostile Intelligence Agencies (HIAs) are the main director and financier of attacks on Chinese,” they added.

The committee was briefed about the level of threats with marks of red and yellow areas having less security threat. In the last ten months, 7,984 intelligence based operations (IBOs) were conducted, including 3,882 in Punjab, 994 in Sindh, 2,807 in KP, 285 in Balochistan and 16 in ICT. In these operations, 206 terrorists were killed and 1,312 arrested.

The committee was told one percent cost of CPEC projects was dedicated for security purposes and two special security divisions of army were deployed for the security of CPEC projects. The Special Protection Unit (SPU) and Special Security Units were employed for protection of Chinese nationals.

Besides district police, FC and CAF were also deployed for the security of Chinese. In June 2024, SOPs for non-CPEC/scattered Chinese were revised. In September 2024, SOPs were again revised/updated after holding consultation with the Chinese Embassy.

The Special Security Audit was conducted by MO Directorate and Intelligence Bureau, and now certain important projects in KP and Sindh have been handed over to the army for the purpose of security and protection.

There is a close liaison with Chinese Security Cell in the Chinese Embassy. In November 2024, the Joint Working Group on Security visited China. A draft counter terrorism agreement for cooperation between China and Pakistan is in the process.

Latest equipment, including helis, aerial vehicles and bullet-proof vehicles, are required for ensuring foolproof security.

On the occasion, Commandant FC raised the issue of non-availability of allowances which the committee decided to recommend to the Ministry of Planning and Finance. However, the secretary planning said allowances could not be provided from CPEC project money. It was an issue related to the Ministry of Finance.