The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police have announced a renewed push to bolster the security of Chinese nationals working on China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects, declaring it a top priority amid evolving regional threats.
The decision came during a high-level meeting chaired by Inspector General of Police (IGP) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Zulfiqar Hameed, at the Central Police Office in Peshawar. The session was specifically convened to assess and enhance the security arrangements for Chinese engineers and workers stationed across key CPEC sites in the province.
Senior officials in attendance included Additional IGP Operations Muhammad Ali Babakhel, DIG Finance Fida Hassan Shah, SSU Commandant DIG Muhammad Suleman, CCPO Peshawar Dr. Mian Saeed Ahmad, DIG Special Branch Rabnawaz Khan, and DIG Operations Shakir Hussain Dawar. Regional Police Officers (RPOs) also joined the meeting via video link.
During the briefing, RPOs shared updates on current security protocols for CPEC routes, crime prevention measures in high-risk zones, and specific strategies implemented to protect Chinese workers’ residences and travel routes. The meeting also reviewed operational SOPs and proposed new security enhancements to ensure a robust and proactive approach.
IGP Zulfiqar Hameed expressed satisfaction with the measures taken so far but emphasized that the safety of Chinese citizens must remain a top operational priority. He directed all police units to enforce strict adherence to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) concerning the movement and accommodation of Chinese personnel.
The provincial police chief further ordered increased patrolling along CPEC corridors and tasked all regional commands with developing special security plans to eliminate potential vulnerabilities.
“Providing foolproof security to Chinese nationals working on CPEC projects is our foremost responsibility,” said IGP Hameed. “No effort will be spared in ensuring their safety.”
The meeting reflects Pakistan’s broader commitment to protecting foreign nationals and critical infrastructure tied to the multi-billion-dollar CPEC initiative, a flagship component of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
