In order to protect Chinese nationals working on CPEC projects against terrorist threats, Pakistan and China have agreed to require them to travel outside only in bulletproof vehicles.
The 11th Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) of the CPEC’s proposed minutes states that both parties have agreed to increase the capacity of law enforcement and investigative organizations.
Guarantees and commitments
The decisions may help address the concerns of the government of China that was not moving forward on the CPEC front. Until the security of its nationals was fully guaranteed and Pakistan fulfilled its commitments under the energy deals.
“It has been decided that bullet-proof vehicles shall be used for all outdoor movements of the Chinese employed on projects,” said the draft minutes of the 11th JCC, which had been exchanged by Pakistan and China.
Pakistan and China did not sign the 11th JCC minutes. Contrary to common expectations, during the two-day visit of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to Beijing earlier this week.
In the past, the JCC minutes were signed right away. Following the meeting, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal stated that the Prime Minister would sign the minutes.
“Due to a very short visit of only 24 hours some of the memoranda of understanding, including the minutes of the JCC, could not be signed,” the minister said.
“About 17 meetings took place in a span of 24 hours, which left no time for some other important engagements.”
Adding that either a delegation would soon go to China for the singing or those would be signed virtually.
