DNA
ISLAMABAD: Crucial decisions, including those concerning the security of Chinese workers in Pakistan, are expected at today’s (Saturday) meeting of the National Action Plan (NAP) Apex Committee, chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
The forum is attended by several high-ranking officials, including the Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir, federal ministers, the chief ministers of the four provinces, and all inspector generals of police.
measures to enhance the security of Chinese workers in the country were at the top of the agenda, while the meeting would also make important decisions related to national security.
Furthermore, meetings with investors of Saudi Arabia and China will also be brought up in the forum.
Pakistan assures security of Chinese citizens
Islamabad, on June 16, assured Beijing of providing foolproof security to Chinese citizens working on different projects in Pakistan, reiterating that no one can create rifts between the two countries.
The assurance came during Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi’s meeting with Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zedong at the Chinese Embassy in Islamabad.
Both sides discussed the measures taken for the security of Chinese citizens in Pakistan.
The interior minister informed the Chinese envoy about the measures to protect Chinese citizens across the country including Islamabad.
He also briefed him on the security plan of Chinese engineers and staff working on CPEC and other projects.
Naqvi said that comprehensive and effective SOPs have been made for the security of Chinese citizens and a separate force “SPU” is being created in Islamabad for foreign nationals.
The two sides also reiterated their commitment to combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations with a “zero tolerance” attitude and agreed to further strengthen cooperation in counter-terrorism and security through a comprehensive approach.
The NAP Apex Committee meeting comes as the country grapples with the challenge of extremism in the country.
According to the Centre for Research and Security Studies’ (CRSS) Q1 2024 Security Report, at least 92% of all fatalities and 86% of attacks, including those related to terrorism and security forces operations, were recorded in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces in the first quarter of 2024.
The report further detailed that the country witnessed at least 432 violence-linked fatalities and 370 injuries among civilians, security personnel and outlaws resulting from as many as 245 incidents of terror attacks and counter-terror operations.
Among the 432 fatalities, 281 included that of civilians and security forces personnel.
