QUETTA / GWADAR: Gwadar will be made a weapon-free city and special measures will be taken for the security of Chinese investors, engineers and experts working on different projects in the port city.
This was decided at a meeting attended by security officials from both Pakistan and China in Gwadar on Friday.
The meeting was attended by Major General Azhar Naveed, provincial Home Secretary Akbar Hussain Durrani, Brigadier Shahzad Iftikhar Bhatti, Brigadier Saqib, Director General of the Gwadar Development Authority Dr Sajjad Hussain, Deputy Director General of China’s Ministry of Public Security Q.U. Jainging and senior officials of China’s foreign ministry Ms Lili and Zhang Maoming.
Security of Gwadar and its surrounding areas has already been handed over to the Pakistan Army. Army troops have established checkposts at all entry points of Gwadar town.
Senior officials briefed Chinese officials about measures taken for ensuring security of the port city and its surrounding areas. They said that under the plan Gwadar would be made a weapon-free city where special arrangements would be made for the maintenance of peace.
The meeting was informed that special measures were being taken for the protection of Chinese nationals working on different projects in the city.
Development of the social sectors also came under discussion during the meeting and the participants gave various suggestions in this regard. It was decided that maximum facilities would be provided to local people and measures would be taken for improving their standard of living.
The meeting was informed that residence cards would be issued to local people of Gwadar and people coming to the city from other areas would have to register at entry points. Record of outsiders would be maintained.
Commissioner of Makran Division Bashir Ahmed Bangulzai, Deputy Commissioner of Gwadar Abdul Hameed Abro, Gwadar SSP Tariq Khilji and officials of the Gwadar Port Overseas Holding Company also attended the meeting.
Published in Dawn, November 1st, 2015
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