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ISLAMABAD: Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives Asad Umar on Thursday stressed the need to increase security for projects backed by the Chinese, as the country’s investment in Pakistan rises.
He made these remarks while addressing a press conference in Islamabad after a meeting of the 10th Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
Umar said that during the JCC meeting, both the Chinese and Pakistani sides, had “specially mentioned and emphasised” on the issue of security. He noted the need for ramping up security had increased after the Dasu incident, where at least 12 people, including nine Chinese nationals were killed.
The federal minister said that both sides expressed their grief over the Dasu incident and sympathy with the victims’ families and also affirmed the intent to capture the culprits responsible as soon as possible and get them punished in court.
Umar further said CPEC was a target of some forces in the world “particularly our eastern neighbour”. He added that this targeting was not limited to physical attacks but “this is the age of fifth-generation hybrid warfare including fake news on social media and international outlets.
Despite that, Umar said, Pakistan and China’s top political leadership, all the way down to the nation, were “committed” to the friendship. The minister expressed that many countries in the world were “unhappy and nervous” with CPEC successful development.
Responding to a question on supposed Chinese insistence of providing security itself for China’s workers, the planning minister said the issue had not been raised at all.
Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on CPEC Affairs Khalid Mansoor added at this point that Pakistan’s army and military had given a comprehensive security briefing, which had been relayed to the Chinese embassy.
The planning minister also provided updates on the agreements and issues discussed in the JCC. Regarding the overall path of CPEC, he said it had passed the first stage of a few big projects and was now spreading to the overall economy.
This phase two would broaden the scope of cooperation and focus on industrial, scientific, technological and agricultural cooperation, according to a press release issued by the planning ministry.
It added that the following developments took place during the JCC meeting:
- Memorandum of understanding (MoU) for establishment of a joint working group on information technology industry was signed
- Letter of exchange of provision of Balochistan solar power lighting equipment and provision of medical equipment and material was signed
- MoU on Karachi Coastal Comprehensive Development Zone
- Agreement of cooperation framework between Ningbo port and Gwadar port as well as lease deed of Gwadar Expo Centre
