Nobody can become a hurdle in Pakistan-China relations: Interior Minister

Islamabad: Minister for Interior, Sheikh Rashid Ahmad said has said that nobody can become a hurdle in the relations between Pakistan and China.

Speaking at a news conference here, Ahmed said that during the meeting with the Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Nong Rong on Sunday, he had assured him that foolproof security would be given to Chinese citizens and companies functioning in Pakistan.

“CPEC (China-Pakistan Economic Corridor) project would not be allowed to become a target of any external conspiracy. No one can become a hurdle in the relations between Pakistan and China,” he said.

He said that the objectives behind incidents like Stock Exchange and Dasu Hydropower Bus were to economically destabilize Pakistan as some elements were against Pakistan-China friendship. “The investigation of all such incidents is underway. Culprits have been arrested and the government is well aware of all facts behind these incidents,” he added.

Ahmed said there were “conspiracies: against Pakistan-China cooperation particularly the CPEC. “We will come out of it as winners. No conspiracy with succeed,” he contended.

On Afghanistan, he said the government had issued immigration to 1,277 foreigners including Afghanis while 500 people were waiting for transit. He added that 874 people were also allowed to enter Pakistan via Torkham border while Chaman and Torkham borders were opened for trade. He said that so far no such decision was made about Afghan refugees while only those were being facilitated who were entering Pakistan legally.

Ahmed said that a one-month visa was being issued to diplomats or representatives of international bodies such as the World Bank or the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on their arrival in Pakistan.

Rashid said that the Ministry of Interior was fulfilling its responsibility of border security. The minister said that the ministry had decided to purchase six drones and 192 security cameras for safety purpose. He said that 1122 service was also being launched in the federal capital owing to security situation.