In a move to bolster the safety of Chinese nationals, particularly those involved in China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects, the Interior Ministry has revised the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). The updated guidelines now mandate that Chinese experts, investors, and citizens inform relevant authorities and local police about their visits, with a requirement to utilize bullet-proof vehicles for their transportation.
A meeting, chaired by Additional Interior Secretary Khushal Khan on Thursday, brought together key stakeholders, including chief commissioners of Islamabad, chief secretaries from all four provinces, and representatives from Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B). The meeting, which included the Chinese ambassador to Pakistan, major Chinese investors, and officials from the CPEC security division, focused on reinforcing security measures for Chinese nationals in the country.
Sources revealed that the Interior Ministry directed chief secretaries to strengthen security, particularly in Balochistan, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), and Punjab. Chinese authorities were urged to ensure the strict implementation of the revised SOPs by their citizens.
According to the revised SOPs, Chinese residents are required to keep local administration, police officers, and the police station informed about their presence and movements. Additionally, the use of bulletproof vehicles for travel is now mandatory. Chinese investors residing in rental accommodations or hotels are instructed to register themselves at the relevant police station and submit their rental agreements to enhance security arrangements.
The Additional Interior Secretary called upon chief secretaries to provide input for potential improvements to the revised SOPs. Urgent provincial-level meetings were also mandated, with instructions to communicate these directives promptly to relevant officials at the district level.
