Ahsan Iqbal, Minister for Planning, Development and Reforms, revealed that a special force is being trained and organized to protect the routes and installations at China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
Special Security Division (SSD) is the new division in Pakistan’s armed forces which was established for the security of Chinese investors and employees. The expenses of the new division will be an additional burden on Pakistan on which questions are being raised but government believes that the economic benefits associated with CPEC are far greater than this expense.
Other separate security teams will be established by each provincial government to carry intelligence based operations against terrorist. These actions are being carried on the instructions of Chinese government who fear that attacks from militant organizations may affect the utilization of CPEC.
The CPEC project worth’s more than $62 billion from which major portion is of loans from Chinese banks. Another criticism on CPEC is that all material (except cement), equipment & man power is from China which reduces the benefits of CPEC for common citizen in Pakistan.