KARACHI: Police on Friday decided to establish two more specialised units in Sindh — in addition to an existing one — for the security of Chinese nationals working in the province on projects relating to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

A meeting chaired by Inspector General of Police A.D. Khowaja at the Central Police Office also decided to recommend to the provincial government the recruitment of over 1,400 policemen for the new units.

The participants exchanged views about “restructuring” of the Special Protection Units (SPUs) and provision of security to the CPEC and non-CPEC projects in the province.

Over 1,400 policemen to be recruited for SPUs

DIG Amir Farooqi of the Rapid Response Force (RRF) gave a detailed briefing about restructuring of the SPUs, manpower, deployment, required logistics, etc.

The IGP issued directions for taking necessary steps as soon as possible for implementation of the recommendations.

It was decided that two more units would be set up in Hyderabad and Sukkur, respectively, as the existing unit was responsible for the security of Chinese nationals in Karachi alone.

The new units would be led by an SP-rank officer each.

Informed sources told Dawn that the meeting was informed that presently as many as 1,358 personnel, mostly retired army men, had been recruited for providing security to the Chinese nationals working on CPEC-related projects in the province.

The meeting was told that as many as 1,469 personnel were needed for the identical purpose, but retired army personnel who also met the required criteria were not available in Sindh for recruitment.

Therefore, it was decided that 1,469 fresh recruitments would be made in the police department for the new units. The new recruits would be selected from the waiting list of policemen.

The matter would be sent to the Sindh chief minister for approval.

The sources said that the meeting was also informed that Sindh was not reportedly getting its share from the funds allocated for the security of the CPEC projects.

At present, one per cent amount of the total cost of each project is earmarked for security purpose.

A senior officer told Dawn that CPEC-related projects with an estimated cost of Rs8-10 billion had been launched in Sindh, particularly in Thar. However, the province had so far not received one per cent of each project for security purpose from the Centre, he added.

It was decided that this issue would be raised before the federal government through the provincial government as huge funds would be required for the SPUs.

Meanwhile, the IGP issued directions for setting up a Chinese desk at Karachi airport where personnel of Special Branch would be deployed for foreigners’ security.

According to a police statement issued after the meeting, IG Khowaja also asked the DIG RRF to hold scheduled meetings with business community to provide security to experts/staff working on non-CPEC projects in the province.

The meeting was attended by Karachi police chief Mushtaq Ahmed Mahar, DIGs of finance, headquarters, establishment and other senior officers.

Published in Dawn, October 28th, 2017