ISLAMABAD, July 8: Pakistan and China have signed an agreement for setting up a "comprehensive security system" in the country, Interior Minister Makhdoom Syed Faisal Saleh Hayat told reporters at a press conference here on Thursday after his return from a four-day visit to China.
He said the new security system would be established at the centre as well as in all the four provincial capitals very soon on the pattern that is in use in Shanghai, China.
The minister said the security system, which he called the "Shanghai Security System", was one of the best and most comprehensive systems ever developed in the world.
"China will not only provide equipment and monetary assistance but also technical support to Pakistan for setting up this sophisticated security system," he said.
He said a "hotline" had been established between China and Pakistan to share information in the war against terrorism. "Chinese government has provided us a list of its wanted criminals and terrorists who have sought refuge in Pakistan. We would shortly take action against them," he added.
Director-General of National Crisis Management Cell (NCMC), Brigadier Javed Iqbal Cheema, and Chinese Director-General of International Cooperation will have close contact through the hotline.
The minister said a Chinese delegation would arrive here by the end of the current month to finalize the plan regarding implementation of the new security system. Mr Hayat said the new system would cover all aspects of security from car theft to terrorism.
"Car theft is the basic and the most common crime which is committed by criminals and terrorists. Terrorists always use stolen vehicles for any attack and even for suicide bombings," he added.
Responding to a question, the minister said China would also help Pakistan in capacity building of police and other law-enforcement agencies to tackle terrorism in a better way and in any form. In this connection training programme would also be conducted.
He said the Shanghai Security System would be implemented simultaneously at Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar and Quetta. The new system, he said, would also conduct surveillance of all the main and sensitive points in these cities. "It would provide us command and control system which would be linked up with police and law-enforcement agencies," he added.
The minister said that under the new system everyone, including foreign nationals, would be registered when they stayed at a hotel for more than three days. Talking about funding the new security system, the minister said the government was committed to rooting out terrorism from the country and was ready to utilize all its resources for this purpose.
Mr Hayat said during his visit to China, he called on Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao, senior minister Zho Yong Kang, vice minister Yang Haunning and other senior officials to exchange views on bilateral issues.
He said China lauded the contribution of Pakistan in the international war against terrorism and Chinese Prime Minister congratulated President General Pervez Musharraf for his efforts in shattering the networks of terrorist groups in Pakistan.
The minister said that matters relating to border security, drugs and human smuggling were also discussed during the visit. The press conference was also attended by the Director-General of NCMC, Brigadier Javed Iqbal Cheema, Additional Secretary of Interior Chaudhry Abdul Rauf and Director-General of National Police Bureau Dr Shoaib Suddle.