Pakistan raises 15,000-strong force to guard Chinese working on CPEC

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Monday assured China that Pakistan has raised a 15,000-strong armed force to safeguard Chinese nationals working in the country for the $46 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, that also runs through the PoK.

Sharif also told Zheng Xiaosong, Vice Minister of International Department of the Central Committee of Communist Party of China, when the latter called on him at the PM House here that Pakistan was committed to provide security to the Chinese working in its territory. "We have raised Special Security Division (SSD), comprising of 15,000 military and civilian Armed Forces for ensuring safety of our Chinese brothers working on different projects under CPEC (China-Pakistan Economic Corridor)," he said.

He also reaffirmed his government's resolve to take the war against terrorism and extremism to its logical end, and that the ongoing military operation has been effective.

The CPEC and its related projects symbolise the people-centric approach of the two countries which has certainly transformed the friendly relations between the two countries into a strong economic partnership, Sharif said.

On his part, Zheng expressed satisfaction with the pace of work under CPEC - the $46 billion project which became operational last month and also runs through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). "China-Pakistan friendship has entered into a new phase during the present government in Pakistan. We are satisfied with the pace of implementation work on various projects under CPEC, especially in Punjab the speedy work is exemplary," he told Sharif.

According to an official statement, Sharif while welcoming the Vice Minister on his visit to Pakistan called Islamabad and Beijing close friends, neighbours and partners as he expressed hope that Zheng's trip will further strengthen the warm and friendly ties between the two countries. He also underlined that bilateral trade between China and Pakistan has crossed $18 billion.

"The Prime Minister underlined that the benefits of Free Trade Agreement (FTA) are visible in growing bilateral trade, which crossed the figure of $18 billion this year," the statement said.

"The enormous potential of trade between China and Pakistan will further enhance the quantum of bilateral trade between the two countries," it quoted Sharif as saying.

Zheng said that alongside the rapidly improving relations between China and Pakistan, ties between the Communist Party of China and Pakistan Muslim League (N) are also fast increasing as he sought delegation-level exchanges between the two political parties. "We need to continue the high-level exchanges between our two countries and political parties," he added. 

Sharif on Monday reviewed progress on the multi-billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and directed officials to form a committee to advise the Chinese government on the economic viability of industrial zones that could be set up in different provinces.

The meeting chaired by Sharif at PM House here reviewed the benchmarks set for numerous energy, transport infrastructure and industrial projects with particular focus on development and socio-economic uplift projects in Gwadar. "The Prime Minister was informed that Chinese automobiles i.e. Foton has shown interest to establish its manufacturing plant in Pakistan," according to an official statement.

He was also briefed on the tentative agenda items for the upcoming meeting of China-Pakistan Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC).

Sharif directed that Karachi Circular Railways and Keti Bunder Port project must be taken up in the next JCC for inclusion in CPEC, as conveyed by the Sindh government.

The Prime Minister said that Chinese officials should be briefed on the immense economic viability of these projects so that they are included in CPEC. He directed Minister for Planning, Development & Reform Ahsan Iqbal to consult all the Chief Ministers for finalization of industrial zones locations in their respective provinces.

Sharif further directed that industrial zones would be set up at places that have economic feasibility and viability for maximum economic returns and benefits for both China and Pakistan.

In this regard, the Prime Minister directed the formation of a committee to suggest and advise the Chinese Government on the economic practicability and benefits of these sites. "China helped us a great deal in the economic revival at a crucial juncture for which the government and people of Pakistan are grateful to the Chinese leadership and people.

China and Pakistan have translated its long-term strategic ties into a strong and durable economic partnership that would greatly benefit both the countries," he said.

The meeting was briefed on the energy projects under CPEC including Coal, Hydel, Wind, Solar, LNG as well as transmission lines. It was also briefed that infrastructure projects including Road, Rail, Aviation and Data Connectivity are being executed on fast track basis.