Joint Working Group on CPEC’s security urged to meet regularly

[LRE-Azan]

Joint Working Group on CPEC’s security urged to meet regularly

ISLAMABAD: A parliamentary committee on Thursday noted that most of the burden of security was being shouldered by the army and said that police and other stakeholders should also play their role in dispensation of security mechanism.

The National Assembly’s Parliamentary Committee on China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which held its meeting in camera, appreciated the sacrifices rendered by Pakistan Army for the defence of the country and offered Fateha for the soldiers martyred in recent attacks in Panjgur and Nushki districts of Balochistan.

The committee chairman MNA Sher Ali Arbab, while highlighting lacunas in coordination at various levels among ministries/divisions responsible for security of CPEC, recommended that the meeting of the Joint Working Group (JWG) on security of CPEC from the Pakistan side be held regularly and its minutes be shared with the committee.

The committee recommended to the interior ministry that dashboard on security may be linked with the provinces as soon as possible for bridging gaps in the security regime of CPEC and ensuring foolproof security to enhance the confidence of investors.

Members of the panel observed that the goals envisaged under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor inevitably hinged upon the security of the mega project to boost the confidence of businesses and attract massive investments in the country.

“Ensuring robust security of CPEC is of vital importance. The quarters concerned need to eliminate bottlenecks pertaining to the project’s security and ensure that CPEC attains the desired results,” MNA Sher Ali Arbab said.

The committee was briefed by representatives of the defence ministry on the concept of security, CPEC security challenges, initiatives taken by the government and category of CPEC projects and its link with security arrangements and law enforcement agencies at federal, provincial and regional levels.

Published in Dawn, February 4th, 2022