KARACHI – The Sindh police department is unable to provide foolproof security to the Chinese nationals working in the province on various projects of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) due to promised funds not being released by the federal government.
Shortage of funds has come in the way of completing the security plan for the nationals of neighbouring country amid a security alert issued by China for its people in Pakistan, sources told Dawn News.
An official said that the Islamabad has not released funds to the Sindh police despite the fact that one percent of the total cost of the project under CPEC will be allocated for security measures.
He said that the department has formed a unit comprising 1,350 persons including retired army men for protection of Chinese, adding that the department itself is bearing its expenses from its regular budget. He said that the unit would not be able to continue its work if funds are not released to the province.
He further said that two more units need to be set up but it could not be formed due to unavailability of funds.
He informed the newspaper that the police department has moved the provincial government to take up the issue with the federal government.
Dawn news quoted the official as saying, “It’s a special task or you may say special policing with particular objective and target. One cannot afford any casual and callous approach on the subject” .
Another official revealed that setting up special police units is part of the CPEC as it has been promised by Pakistan to ensure security of the Chinese nationals. The plan is followed by all the provinces.
A single unit, which has been set up by Sindh police, is working in Karachi only, while the police have planned to form more units for Hyderabad and Sukkur.
