Areesh
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Govt approves budget for creation as well as running expenses, Elite Division to have modern gadgets including Helis. “It is Economic Corridor Support Force”: Sources
Wednesday, April 15, 2015 - Islamabad—Considering the vast dimensions of Pak-China Economic Corridor being described as game changer and enemies stepped up efforts to derail it, Pakistan Army has established a strong well armed division to ensure fool proof security of the Chinese engineers and other work force coming to Pakistan for the mega project. Some of the Chinese Engineers are already in the country, and some are seen even in Islamabad and others will be here soon.
The new division with state-of-the-art equipment has been created in the army keeping in view the incidents of the past including killing and kidnapping of Chinese engineers in Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa and Balochistan by the agents of the enemy to deter implementation of mega projects by the Chinese.
Though other security agencies will also be in place for the safety and protection, but the Pakistani government wants to ensure that the Chinese while in Pakistan, work in an atmosphere with complete confidence and for this purpose the responsibility has been given to the army.
Pakistan Observer understands that the budget has been approved for the new Division. Another source privy to the development in the Ministry of Finance confirmed that an amount of $ 250 million has been sanctioned for the new force for purchase of equipment and other paraphernalia and an annual expenditure of $ 60 million will be there to meet annual salaries and other day to day expenses.
Sources said that the strategic move will further enhance the impact of the visit to Pakistan by Chinese President Xi and will be yet another signal to the Chinese government about the genuine interest of government of Pakistan in giving a big push to the multi dimensional Pak-China relations.
It is also understood that China too will be providing some equipment to the force for the rugged areas including Helicopters for close monitoring to avoid any untoward incident.
Army creates one China specific Division