IGP orders security audit of guards assigned to Chinese nationals

Sindh police chief Ghulam Nabi Memon held a meeting at the Central Police Office on Wednesday to review the security arrangements of Chinese and other foreign nationals.

IG Memon said the hosts and private security companies would be obliged to hire former law enforcement personnel to protect Chinese nationals in the province. A thorough security audit of private security guards engaged in the security of Chinese nationals will be conducted on the project premises, he added.

The meeting was briefed about the strategy adopted by the Karachi police chief, the operations chief, and the chiefs of the Special Protection Unit (SPU) and the Special Branch for the security of Chinese nationals.

Memon said security clearance at the accommodations and the project locations is crucial for the movement of Chinese nationals as well. “We have to ensure the implementation of the zero-tolerance policy regarding security. The hosts and sponsors of Chinese nationals, and project owners should be regularly informed about the services of former law enforcement personnel.”

He said the hosts and project owners should be made aware of the SOP issued regarding security, and make it possible to keep Chinese nationals working in owners’ and hosts’ projects away from unnecessary interactions and meetings.

He directed the Special Branch and the SPU to jointly ensure the implementation of the SOP formulated by Pakistan’s government. He said that all district and unit incharges, including the SPU, should inform their staff about the SOP. Action should be taken against those who are negligent, he added.

Memon said that Chinese nationals’ movement should be restricted, and their security plan should be reviewed on a daily basis, adding that their usual and unusual movements must be shared with the local police so that their security measures can be made concrete.

He said SSPs should devote the maximum time possible to their offices to ensure all steps are taken to solve the public’s problems. He also said the police officials engaged in the security of unauthorised persons should be placed at police stations’ disposal. All police security cases should be sent to the Threat Assessment Committee, he added.