KARACHI: Police and other agencies concerned have so far failed to arrest a private security guard, who had shot at two Chinese nationals in a textile mill in the city, it emerged on Wednesday.

The Chinese nationals — Zheng Luwen and Wang Xingzhong — were inspecting machines on the first floor of the factory when the security guard shot at them multiple times and fled.

The police registered a case under Sections 324 (attempted murder) of the Pakistan Penal Code and Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act against security guard Sharifullah on the complaint of the security in-charge of the textile mills, Najeebullah, at the SITE-A police station.

A senior police officer replied in the negative when he was asked about the progress in the investigations of Tuesday’s shooting incident.

Case registered against fleeing suspect under anti-terror law

The complainant informed the police that he along with four Chinese nationals accompanied by police and private guards arrived at the mill in the SITE area at around 8am.

The foreigners went to the first floor for installation of new machinery. They were busy in their work when at around 8:15am, guard Sharifullah belonging to the Executive security company, who has been working in the factory for the last four-five months, also went to the first floor.

The suspect from his 9mm pistol opened fire on the Chinese due to some unknown reasons with an intention to kill them, the officer said.

The suspect then resorted to indiscriminate fire, resulting in critical injuries to Zheng Luwen and Wang Xingzhong, who were taken to the Liaquat National Hospital in the factory’s ambulance while the guard managed to escape along with the pistol.

The complainant said the suspect’s firing inside the factory also triggered fear and terror among other employees, therefore, he wanted a case against the fleeing suspect over charges of making an attempt on the life of Chinese and creating an atmosphere of fear and terror in the factory.

‘Hire retired law enforcers’

Inspector General of Police Ghulam Nabi Memon on Wednesday held a meeting at the Central Police Office to review security for Chinese nationals in Sindh.

The police chief directed the authorities concerned to ensure that hosts and private security companies deployed for security of Chinese must hire services of former personnel of law enforcement agencies.

He ordered a complete security audit of private security guards deployed for security of Chinese nationals working on different projects in Sindh, according to an official statement issued after the meeting.

The provincial police chief ordered for giving “immense importance” to security clearances during movement of Chinese nationals and places of different projects besides ensuring implementation of “zero tolerance policy” in connection with security of Chinese.

Mr Memon said that the hosts/sponsors and owners of the projects should be informed that they must hire services of retired personnel of law enforcement agencies besides informing them about SOPs regarding the security.

He said the owners of the projects and hosts should also take steps to prevent unnecessary interaction/meetings with Chinese nationals working on the projects.

He also asked the Special Branch and Special Security Unit to ensure implementation of SOPs prescribed by the government of Pakistan about security of foreigners.

Published in Dawn, November 7th, 2024