The Punjab government has sanctioned the procurement of 37 bulletproof vehicles to enhance the security of Chinese engineers and officials involved in various projects, including the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
According to details, the Punjab government has greenlit the acquisition of 11 bulletproof vehicles specifically designated for CPEC projects. Additionally, approval has been granted for the purchase of 23 vehicles intended for Chinese residents working on other projects within the province.
Furthermore, three bulletproof vehicles have been earmarked for permanent installations to bolster security arrangements.
Also Read: Five Chinese nationals killed in suicide attack in KP's Shangla district
Officials have confirmed that there are already 18 bulletproof vehicles in place to ensure the safety and security of Chinese citizens. These measures come following a comprehensive security audit and assessment of the movement of Chinese citizens from January 1 to March 31.
The decision to allocate additional bulletproof vehicles underscores the Punjab government's commitment to providing a secure environment for Chinese personnel involved in vital infrastructure projects across the province.
Also Read: Shangla attack: China demands thorough probe, seeks perpetrators' prosecution
These measures come in the wake of an attack on a convoy of Chinese nationals in Shangla district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on March 26, which killed five engineers and their Pakistani driver. The vehicle they were travelling in was attacked in the Bisham tehsil of Shangla district.
Malakand Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of police Muhammad Ali had claimed that the attack appears to be a suicide, adding that the passenger vehicle was going from Islamabad to Kohistan. The officer claimed that attackers rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into the passenger car, which eventually fell into a ditch.
