LAHORE: The Punjab police department has finalised the recruitment process of over 4,000 security constables for the protection of Chinese experts working at various projects in Punjab.

This was shared in a meeting of senior police officers held at the Central Police Office here on Monday.

Chaired by Inspector General of Punjab Police Mushtaq Ahmad Sukhera, the meeting was called to review the pace of work on various on-going projects all over the province under the Special Protection Unit.

Additional IG Training retired Capt Usman Khattak, Additional IG Welfare and Finance Sohail Khan, Additional IG Investigations/Operations retired Capt Arif Nawaz, Additional IG Establishment Dr Arif Mushtaq and other senior police officers were also present.

The IGP said that providing protection to the Chinese was in the national interest and the Punjab police would do so at any cost.

Special Protection Unit DIG Agha Yousuf informed the house that the training of constables had been started which would be completed within six months.

The first batch of these constables would pass out on Sept 15, he said adding that they would be deployed at 16 projects for the security of foreigners.

He said the recruitment process of around 600 retired army men was also near completion for their posting on operational duties.

Published in Dawn, May 3rd, 2016