ISLAMABAD, Sep 18, 2017: Minister for Interior, Ahsan Iqbal on Monday directed the concerned departments to improve capacity of security institutions in a bid to provide safety to China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects. Chairing a meeting of Joint Working Group held here to review current security situation of the projects and keeping in view their importance, the Minister directed to arrange meeting of the Group at least once in a month.

He said “Chinese people coming to Pakistan are our guests, therefore, attacks on them will be considered as attacks on the state.” Ahsan Iqbal said security of maritime trade corridors was inevitable for projects attached to CPEC.

The meeting was informed that a Task Force was being formulated to provide provinces advance information relating to arrival of Chinese citizens to Pakistan.

Ahsan Iqbal said that CPEC projects were considered to be milestone of Pakistan’s history and the country was becoming centre of world’s attention. “CPEC would not only give benefits to Pakistan but to the whole region,” the Minister said, adding that CPEC was a geographical and economic reality which would change socio-economic scenario of Pakistan and rest of countries in the region.