Non-CPEC projects: Sindh IGP, departments directed to beef up security for Chinese employees

KARACHI: The Sindh Home Department has directed the Sindh Inspector General of Police (IGP), secretary Irrigation Department and other provincial authorities to beef up security of the Chinese nationals, working on different non-CPEC projects as per the standard operating procedures (SOPs) of the interior ministry.

Keeping in view a report of a joint team of Intelligence Bureau and the Special Branch of the Sindh Police, the Sindh Home Department expressed dissatisfaction with the current security arrangements for the Chinese nationals.

According to an official directive (a copy of which is available with The News), quoting the security audit of the joint team, Planning, Policy and Coordination Specialist Bilaludin Shaikh referred to a water supply project, where Chinese nationals are working, and pointed out many security loopholes.

He said these loopholes could compromise the security of Chinese and hinder their safety in the wake of existing threats. The official letter added that trespassing of irrelevant persons at the site, forced stoppage of work, and threats by local villagers are the main security risks for Chinese workers.

In the same correspondence, it was said that the project director of the same scheme reported encountering resistance from the local groups. He said the resistance impeded smooth progress of construction activities, leading to necessity of work suspension including threats to the Chinese workers.

He requested to facilitate implementation of necessary security arrangements at the project site. It was suggested to the Sindh government authorities to set up security checkpoints and perimeters around the project site and camp, implement security protocols for Chinese engineers and workers both on-site and during transit; and increase security personnel deployment and supply necessary resources like patrol vehicles for on-site security staff.

The letter said that with regard to violation of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and loopholes, the Irrigation Department and Sindh Police requested that instruction should be issued to the concessionaire (project management) to address the deficiencies and ensure adherence to the SOPs, issued by the interior ministry for ‘Foreign Nationals Working on Non-CPEC Projects’.

The letter said that on failure to comply with the SOPs, action should be taken under Section 14.1, of the ‘Punitive Action against Local Companies’ of the ibid SOP and the Sindh Security of vulnerable Establishments Act, 2015.

The official directive recalled that the Sindh chief secretary, in a meeting held on April 9, 2024, also passed explicit directions on a zero-tolerance policy towards non-implementation of the said SOP.