RAWALPINDI: Due to the prevailing security situation, the provincial government has decided to make it compulsory for the managements of hotels and guesthouses to inform the local police about their foreign guests, especially Chinese, within three hours of their arrival.

A senior police official told Dawn that in order to ensure the safety of the foreigners, the provincial government had directed the managements of hotels, inns and guesthouses to share the details of the foreign guests with the police station concerned within three hours of their arrival.

The move came after two Chinese women tourists staying in a hotel in Lahore were robbed of their mobile phones and cash by armed men on March 23.

“Though the law regarding the registration of foreigners on their arrival in Pakistan does exit, after the two Chinese women tourists were looted in Lahore, the provincial government decided to strictly enforce it to ensure the protection of foreigners,” said the official.

He said under the law, the owner of hotels, inns and guesthouses were bound to inform the local police station about their guests. As many as 700 foreigners, majority of them Chinese, are residing in the Rawalpindi division in connection with different development projects or trade.

On the other hand, the Special Branch in a report asked the local police to ensure the security of Chinese traders who are staying in low-cost hotels.

The foreigners have been advised to avoid unnecessary travel and inform the local police prior to their departure for their workplace or any other area.

Published in Dawn, April 1st, 2015

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