RAWALPINDI: The Rawalpindi police have stepped up security measures for Chinese and other foreigners working on development projects or engaged in business activities in the district after a deadly bombing targeting Chinese citizens in Karachi killed two foreign nationals.

Intelligence agencies, including the Special Branch, had pointed out loopholes in the security of foreigners working on various projects and intimated the commissioner and deputy commissioner many times, a security official told Dawn.

Following a fresh security audit of Chinese nationals who have been residing privately – a reviewed security plan has been chalked out by the Rawalpindi district police to ensure their safety. The security audit was carried out in September this year. According to the security audit, 49 Chinese nationals have been residing at 23 different places, including the airport, Naseerabad, Cantt, Taxila, and Rawat areas in the Rawalpindi district.

On behalf of Rawalpindi City Police Officer Syed Khalid Hamdani, SSP Operations Rawalpindi Hafiz Kamran Asghar issued a dispatch to divisional superintendents of police, SDPOs, and SHOs across the district with guidelines for foolproof security for foreigners, especially the Chinese nationals.

It has been said that in view of the recent wave of terrorism, Chinese nationals and foreigners are facing serious threats from terrorists and hostile agencies, due to which there is a need to make their security foolproof to avert any untoward incident.

According to the directive, the security of Chinese experts and residents working on the Karot Hydro and Kahuta Azad Pattan projects will be kept on high alert. The hotel management should be informed to arrange security guards for their security as well as use CCTV cameras for monitoring.

The security of Chinese residents working in hospitals and residing in the Naseerabad area should also be properly managed and ensure that Chinese nationals and foreigners should not travel anywhere without security.

According to the order, wherever Chinese nationals and foreigners have been residing and visiting frequently, search operations should be conducted regularly and security clearance of those working with them should be carried out by circle officers and SHOs. It has also been decided to get the security clearance from the Special Branch of all those working with the foreigners.

On behalf of Rawalpindi CPO Khalid Hamdani, the divisional SPs have been asked to review the security of Chinese and foreigners on a daily basis for their foolproof security. It is very important to follow the instructions and security arrangements, and the officers concerned will be responsible for their negligence, the directive concluded.

Published in Dawn, October 9th, 2024