Pakistan in talks with China for security mechanism

Pakistan confirmed on Friday that it was in discussions with China for a joint security mechanism, as its hopes for clinching major infrastructure and energy deals during the visit of Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang largely remained unfulfilled.

The major outcome of the visit was limited to signing pacts for the provision of six bulletproof vehicles and about 20 fire-fighting trucks.

Both sides also signed two agreements for currency swap and drama production and five memoranda of understanding (MoUs) for the provision of security and fire-fighting vehicles, cooperation in the areas of establishing laboratories, human resources training and water conservancy.

However, they did not sign any agreement on setting up a joint security company for the protection of Chinese interests in Pakistan and the restructuring of Chinese energy debt.

China last month demanded the setting up of a joint security company to protect its citizens and assets. It was Pakistan’s desire to at least sign an MoU for energy debt restructuring.

“Discussions on establishing a joint security mechanism are ongoing within the framework of our joint working group on security, where details will be thoroughly addressed and finalised,” said Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal in response to the written questions sent by The Express Tribune.

The minister stated that security cooperation between Pakistan and China remained a top priority and both countries were fully committed to ensuring the safety of Chinese nationals and installations.

Days before the scheduled visit of Chinese prime minister, a suicide bomber hit a convoy of Chinese nationals working on a power plant, killing two and injuring one. Pakistan last week approved payment of $516,000 in compensation for the families of every deceased.

A statement of the Prime Minister’s Office said that Pakistan and China signed an MoU on security cooperation.

Under the MoU, China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA) is “willing to provide six bulletproof vehicles to support national security and economic and social development in Pakistan”.

Details showed that both countries agreed that a peaceful and secure environment for development was an important guarantee for deepening development cooperation, and agreed to further strengthen counter-terrorism and security cooperation.

Replying to a question, Ahsan Iqbal said that the bulletproof vehicles were arranged based on the need, adding that private enterprises made their own arrangements.