Matters will be settled with China on B2B basis: PM

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said that the security of Chinese residents in Pakistan has become more important in the context of the development of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

Chairing a review meeting regarding the security arrangements for Chinese residents in the country, the premier said: “We are providing a safe and business-friendly environment for the Chinese community in the country. Safe city projects are being built according to global standards throughout the country. China is our friendly country, and we have historical relations with China based on brotherhood. The protection of Chinese brothers is the top priority of the Government of Pakistan.

According to a statement issued by the PMO media wing, speaking on the occasion, the prime minister said that a number of steps are being taken to make the security of Chinese people effective across the country, including Islamabad, and the safe city projects are the best example of this growing capability.

He said that China is our friendly country, we have historical relations with China based on brotherhood. He said the CPEC is a very important joint venture of Pakistan and China, which is now entering its second phase in which matters will be settled between the two countries on a business-to-business (B2B) basis.

The prime minister said that in the context of the CPEC development, the security of Chinese residents in Pakistan has become even more important, and we are building a safe and business-friendly environment for the Chinese community in the country.

He said that the trust of Chinese companies in the Pakistani economy is very important for our economic future, and steps should be taken on a priority basis to facilitate the movement of Chinese people at airports across the country.

At the meeting, the prime minister was briefed on the progress of special security arrangements for Chinese residents across the country. The interior minister briefed the prime minister about the security arrangements across the country. The briefing was told that in view of the threat of terrorism, special security arrangements for Chinese residents are in force, the federation and all the provinces are working with full cooperation in this regard.

The briefing was told that safe city projects are under construction throughout the country, Chinese residents are being provided with security escorts for travel. Safe city quality cameras will be installed in all new residential projects.

Meanwhile, addressing trainee police officers at the National Police Academy, the prime minister reaffirmed the government’s unwavering commitment to eradicating terrorism and enhancing the capabilities of law enforcement agencies, emphasising that the core mission of the police is to safeguard the lives and property of citizens and ensure justice.

He underscored the critical role of high-quality training and accommodation in achieving these goals. He announced the government’s full support for improving facilities at the academy and revealed plans to send officers to China for specialised training.

The ceremony was attended by Federal Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Naqvi, Federal Information and Broadcasting Minister Attaullah Tarar, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry, IG National Highway & Motorway Police BA Nasir and senior police officials.

The prime minister stressed that providing justice and protecting the public are paramount responsibilities for police officers upon completing their training, asserting that these objectives are attainable only through exceptional training and resources. He highlighted the importance of a training curriculum focused on public protection and justice as crucial elements for any civilised society.

Recalling his tenure as Punjab chief minister, Shehbaz cited the establishment of the Elite Force, not for the protection of the elite, but specifically to combat terrorists and anti-social elements. He also noted the implementation of Pakistan’s and the region’s first Safe City Project during a period of peak terrorism, along with the creation of a Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) and the country’s first forensic laboratory in Lahore. These institutions, he stated, have been instrumental in combating terrorism and ensuring citizen safety.

He declared that upholding merit is a hallmark of a civilised society, commending the interior minister and his team for their dedicated efforts in this regard.

Announcing significant improvements for the National Police Academy, the prime minister revealed plans for a complete renovation to elevate it to the standards of a premier training institution. He also stated that a Master’s degree would be awarded at the academy.

In a major development, he announced the establishment of a new 25-acre National Police Academy in Islamabad, envisioning an even more advanced training school than the Elite Training School in Bedian, Lahore. The new facility would include a firing range and hostels for trainee officers. The prime minister lauded the trainee police officers, who hail from all provinces and Azad Kashmir. He specifically instructed the interior minister to ensure the implementation of the quota for Gilgit-Baltistan.

Paying heartfelt tribute to martyred officers and personnel, he recounted the sacrifice of a police officer in Jhelum who laid down his life while saving others. He underscored that police officers continue to make the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty to protect the public and defend the homeland.

He extended his profound appreciation to Pakistan’s armed forces, law enforcement personnel, Rangers, and Frontier Corps for their bravery in combating terrorism, remarking, “They are making their children orphans to save millions of others from becoming orphans—we salute them.”

On this occasion, the prime minister distributed laptops among the trainee officers and laid the foundation stones for two projects.

Earlier, the interior minister provided a detailed briefing to the prime minister, outlining the ongoing projects. He shared that upon his visit to the academy a year ago, it was in a dilapidated state, lacking staff and effectively serving as a “dumping ground.” He credited the prime minister for supporting the vision to renovate and upgrade the academy and its training programmes to mirror the standards of the Pakistan Military Academy (PMA).

Naqvi further said that the academy, which once attracted international trainees, would now also host United Nations programmes. He announced the introduction of modern courses such as cybercrime and criminology, emphasising a shift towards technology-based modern training. He also stated that training officers would receive proper salaries, and assistant course commanders would be appointed to ensure the development of top-tier officers.

Meanwhile, in a statement, the prime minister, condoling the loss of lives and property in rain and flood-related incidents in different areas, directed the authorities concerned to accelerate the rescue operation in the affected areas.

He also expressed grief over an incident of a car being swept away carrying a man and his daughter in floodwater in a housing society in Islamabad, and directed that all possible measures should be taken for their rescue. The prime minister instructed the provision of urgent medical aid to those injured in such incidents.

He ordered the National Disaster Management Authority to ensure constant coordination with the provincial governments and relevant departments for their facilitation. He stated that immediate relief should be provided to the affected people and that all necessary preparations should be made in advance to deal with any untoward situation in the coming days. Shehbaz also instructed the National Highway Authority and Frontier Works Organisation to expedite the restoration work of highways and link roads affected by floods.

He prayed to Allah Almighty for peace for those who lost their lives in floods and other related incidents and expressed sympathies for the bereaved families.