ISLAMABAD: The Pakistani government is creating a special police unit for the protection of foreign nationals in Islamabad, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said on Sunday, as Pakistan looks to bolster security for Chinese citizens in the country. 

Naqvi’s comments came during a meeting with China’s Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong at the Chinese embassy in Islamabad on Sunday, state broadcaster Radio Pakistan said. 

China is a major ally and investor in Pakistan but both separatist and religiously motivated militants have attacked Chinese projects in recent years, killing Chinese personnel. 

The most recent attack targeting Chinese nationals took place in March when five Chinese workers were killed in a suicide bombing. The Chinese nationals were on their way to a hydropower project funded by Beijing being built in Dasu in the country’s northwest when their vehicle was targeted. 

“Mohsin Naqvi said a separate force SPU [Special Protection Unit] is being created in Islamabad for the protection of foreign nationals,” Radio Pakistan said in a report. 

The March blast was the third major attack in a little over a week on China’s interests in the South Asian nation, where Beijing has invested more than $65 billion in infrastructure, energy and other projects as part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

China has repeatedly called on Pakistan to ensure its nationals in the South Asian country are kept safe from militant attacks. Islamabad has since then taken measures to enhance the security of Chinese nationals in the country. 

Naqvi briefed the Chinese envoy regarding the security plan for Chinese engineers and staff working on CPEC and other projects, the state media said. 

“The minister said no one can create a rift in the eternal friendship between Pakistan and China and any such conspiracy will never be allowed to succeed,” Radio Pakistan said. 

The minister said the security of Chinese nationals working for Pakistan’s construction and development was Islamabad’s first priority. 

“The Chinese ambassador expressed satisfaction over the security arrangements,” Radio Pakistan said. 

An SPU of the police has already been formed in Pakistan’s southern port city of Karachi for the security of Chinese nationals in the metropolis. 

Sindh’s top cop earlier this week reviewed security measures for Chinese nationals in the southern Pakistani province. 

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani athlete Muhammad Yasir bagged a silver medal in the second Asian Throwing Championship competition held in South Korea on Saturday, state-run media reported. 

The Asian Throwing Championships is an annual competition featuring participants from Asian countries in track and field competitions such as javelin throw, discus throw, shot put and hammer throw. 

Yasir finished second behind Sri Lana’s Rumesh Tharanga, who threw an impressive 85.45 meters while Yasir managed to throw the javelin at a distance of 78.10 meters. 

“Talented Pakistani athlete Muhammad Yasir has secured a silver medal in the 2nd Asian Throwing Championship held in Korea,” the state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) said. 

The Pakistan Athletics Federation (PAF) congratulated Yasir and his coach, Syed Fayaz Hussain Bukhari, for their outstanding achievement.

“PAF President Brig (R) Wajahat Hussain and Secretary General Col (R) Shahjahan Mir praised the duo’s dedication and hard work,” APP said. 
It added that Yasir and Bukhari are both scheduled to return home on June 18 and will be accorded a warm welcome at the airport.