Security of foreigners working on non-CPEC projects is sponsors’ job: Sindh Police

Sponsors of foreigners working on projects not associated with the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) are responsible for arranging security for them in accordance with the standard operating procedure (SOP) issued by the Ministry of Interior.

This decision was taken on Wednesday during a meeting at the Central Police Office with Sindh Inspector General of Police (IGP) AD Khowaja in the chair. The meeting also decided to extend the jurisdiction of the Special Protection Unit (SPU), for which the provincial law enforcement agency would write to the home department.

After the SPU’s jurisdiction is extended, the post of the SPU deputy inspector general of police (DIGP) will be renamed Foreign Security DIGP, who will head the Provincial Foreign Security Cell (PFSC).

The Foreign Security DIGP will also head the District Foreign Security Cells (DFSCs) and be responsible for providing security to every Chinese and other foreign national associated with all the CPEC and non-CPEC projects.

The DIGP will maintain close coordination with all the DFSCs, and he and the Operations assistant inspector general of police (AIGP) will be members of PFSC. Until the approval of the Foreign Security DIGP post, the Special Branch additional inspector general of police (Addl IGP) will supervise the PFSC as its chairman.

The Special Branch Addl IGP has been tasked with contacting non-CPEC project sponsors and other stakeholders, including representatives of chambers of commerce and industries, to inform them about the SOP devised for the security of Chinese and other foreign nationals.

The Headquarters DIGP has been ordered to contact all the law enforcement agencies to inform them about these facts and to direct them to implement the SOPs.

IGP Khowaja ordered devising a mechanism at the Karachi airport to help sponsors of foreigners, especially Chinese nationals, approach the Special Branch for their security audit. The meeting was attended by Karachi Addl IGP Mushtaq Mahar, Special Branch Addl IGP Dr Waliullah Dal, Rapid Response Force DIGP Dr Kamran Fazal, the Sindh Headquarters DIGP, the Special Branch’s Security SSP and SP and the Sindh Operations AIGP.  

PSL security

IGP Khowaja also attended a meeting to review the security arrangements for the Pakistan Super League’s (PSL) final match at the National Stadium in Karachi. The police chief directed the relevant officials to implement the SOPs devised for the security of the match scheduled to be played on March 25.

He directed the traffic police to ensure smooth flow of vehicular traffic across the city and to announce alternative routes. He also ordered writing to the city commissioner for repairing dilapidated roads and faulty streetlights along the roads leading to the stadium.