Pakistan army to protect Chinese nationals

Islamabad: Pakistan will deploy 10,000 army personnel, including commandoes with anti-terrorism training, for the protection of Chinese citizens working in the country, President Mamnoon Hussain said on Tuesday.

Chinese President Xi Jinping raised the issue of security for the Chinese nationals working in Pakistan during a one-on-one meeting with Hussain.

Responding to Xi's query, Hussain said Pakistan has created a special security division for the protection of Chinese engineers, project directors, experts and workers employed on various Chinese funded projects across the country.

"I am pleased to inform you that the government has accorded approval to provide security to the Chinese working in Pakistan and a special security division has been created for this purpose," said Hussain.

A force of 10,000 personnel is being given the task, officials said.

"A major-general will head the force and will directly report to army's headquarters about security issues," he said.

The force also included army commandoes who have already received special anti-terrorism training. China and Pakistan yesterday launched USD 46 billion economic corridor project, which will bring hundreds of Chinese workers and experts in the country which has witnessed a spate of Taliban attacks.

In the past, several Chinese nationals in Pakistan have been abducted by militants, raising Beijing's concern.