ISLAMABAD — Pakistan is establishing a dedicated special unit (Protection Unit) in Islamabad to safeguard Chinese nationals, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi announced on Wednesday during his visit to Beijing.
Naqvi made the statement while meeting China’s Minister of Public Security Wang Xiaohong at the Chinese ministry headquarters, where he received a warm official welcome. According to the Interior Ministry, the discussions focused on enhancing bilateral security cooperation and strengthening counterterrorism measures.
Joint Security Measures and Police Training
The ministers agreed to implement a joint and rapid response system to counter terrorism, alongside expanding training programs designed to enhance the skills and capacity of police forces in both countries. Wang praised Pakistan’s efforts in combating terrorism, noting the country’s significant sacrifices in maintaining internal security.
“Both ministers agreed on a joint strategy for training and upgrading the professional skills of police and security personnel,” the statement read, highlighting that Pakistan and China will also maintain regular information exchanges among law enforcement agencies.
Source: The International News Pakistan
Naqvi emphasized that protecting Chinese citizens and projects of mutual interest remains a top priority. “Effective measures have been taken to ensure their security in Pakistan,” he said, adding that the new special protection unit in Islamabad will be tasked exclusively with this responsibility.
Rising Security Concerns
The move comes amid repeated attacks on Chinese nationals in Pakistan. Data from the National Counter Terrorism Authority revealed that from 2021 through December 2024, 20 Chinese citizens were killed and 34 injured in terror incidents across the country. Notable attacks include a shooting incident in Karachi in November 2024, where two Chinese nationals were wounded, and a bombing at Karachi airport in October 2024 that killed two Chinese engineers.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has previously underscored the importance of providing a safe environment for Chinese citizens, linking their protection to Pakistan’s economic prospects and the development of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Measures have been implemented at airports to ensure the safe arrival and departure of Chinese nationals.
Cybersecurity and Strategic Partnership
Beyond physical security, the discussions also focused on cybersecurity cooperation. Naqvi expressed Pakistan’s interest in leveraging Chinese expertise and AI technologies to enhance the capabilities of the National Cyber Crimes Investigation Agency (NCCIA), noting that joint efforts could help counter terrorism and emerging security threats.
The two sides agreed to hold meetings of a joint working group every three months, with an annual ministerial-level meeting to review progress. Naqvi extended an invitation to Wang to visit Pakistan, while Wang invited Naqvi to the Global Security Cooperation Forum in China this September. Both ministers reaffirmed that Pakistan and China are strategic partners, committed to sustained cooperation on security and mutual interests.
