Interior Minister Assures Steadfast Commitment to CPEC Security

Pakistan’s Interior Minister has expressed Islamabad’s unwavering commitment to ensure effective security and successful completion of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects.

Ijaz Ahmad Shah was talking to a Chinese delegation headed by Ambassador of China to Pakistan Yao Jing in Islamabad on Tuesday. They discussed matters pertaining to the security of CPEC projects, especially on Gwadar port and surrounding areas.

The Minister said modernizing security system will help improve the operation of the projects. He said to further strengthen cooperation with China in all aspects of our bilateral relations, the security of economic development is vital.

The Chinese ambassador emphasized the increased use of technology in operational matters to ensure efficiency and smooth functioning of projects. Ministry of Interior is playing a lead role in CPEC security and has established multiple operational and working mechanisms to achieve the desired objectives.

Earlier, Pakistan’s army announced to raise another division-size special force to protect Chinese nationals and projects under the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The announcement comes days after a series of attacks in Balochistan including the brazen terror attack on a luxury hotel in Balochistan.

Describing the US$50 billion  China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as a living example of the deep-rooted friendship between Pakistan and China, Major-General Gafoor, Director-General of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), said the army was fully determined to ensure the security of the project.

Earlier reports suggested that Pakistan could raise a Special Security Division (SSD) comprising 9,000 Pakistan Army soldiers and 6,000 para-military forces for the security of the CPEC project and Chinese nationals working on it.

CPEC is a planned network of roads, railways and energy projects linking China’s resource-rich Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region with Pakistan’s strategic Gwadar Port on the Arabian Sea.