Gilgit-Baltistan Police Tighten Security for Chinese Nationals and Foreign Workers
Gilgit-Baltistan security for Chinese nationals and other foreign workers is being strengthened after the region’s police reviewed protective measures at a high-level meeting on Saturday. The decision adds a fresh layer of protection for foreigners involved in development projects and businesses across the mountainous region.
Inspector General of Police Dr Akbar Nasir Khan chaired the meeting at the Central Police Office in Gilgit, where senior officers assessed the existing safety arrangements and identified where they needed to be tightened.
Gilgit-Baltistan security review: what was decided
The review covered Chinese citizens working on non-CPEC projects, as well as those engaged in private mining ventures, businesses and residences in Gilgit, Skardu, Diamer and other areas. The focus was on foreigners whose work keeps them in the region for extended periods.
The IGP ordered a fresh district-level threat assessment and directed officials to implement the security procedures laid down by the National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA). He also ordered the re-verification of no-objection certificates (NOCs) and fresh security audits of the places where foreigners live and work.
The warning from the top was blunt. Negligence in the safety of foreigners, particularly Chinese citizens, “would not be tolerated”, the IGP said.
Why the region matters
Gilgit-Baltistan sits at the northern end of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and borders China’s Xinjiang region through the Khunjerab Pass. Chinese engineers and workers are present on infrastructure, energy and mining projects across the territory, including the Diamer-Bhasha dam, one of Pakistan’s largest ongoing hydropower schemes.
The region keeps a high national profile for more than its projects. Its electoral politics draw regular attention, and its peaks and valleys make it one of Pakistan’s busiest tourist destinations, which adds to the policing load.
The safety of Chinese workers has been a standing concern for Pakistan for years. Attacks on Chinese nationals in the past pushed security to the top of the bilateral agenda, and both countries treat the protection of project staff as a priority. Dedicated security arrangements, including escorted movement and guarded residences, have been in place around major projects for some time.
What the new orders mean on the ground
The district-level threat assessments will map risks area by area, rather than applying a single template across the region. That matters in Gilgit-Baltistan, where conditions in Gilgit city differ sharply from remote mining sites in Diamer or Skardu.
Re-verification of NOCs means the paperwork behind every foreigner’s presence will be checked again, closing gaps that may have opened over time. The security audits will examine residences, offices and project sites against NACTA’s procedures, which set the national standard for protecting vulnerable installations and personnel.
The Central Police Office in Gilgit will monitor compliance, and the IGP’s warning leaves district officers in no doubt about the consequences of lapses.
The Dawn report on the meeting is here.
Frequently asked questions
Why is Gilgit-Baltistan tightening security for foreigners?
The regional police reviewed protective measures for foreigners working in development projects and businesses and decided stronger arrangements were needed, particularly for Chinese nationals.
Who chaired the security review?
Inspector General of Police Dr Akbar Nasir Khan chaired the meeting at the Central Police Office in Gilgit.
Which areas are covered by the new measures?
Gilgit, Skardu, Diamer and other areas where foreigners live and work, including non-CPEC projects, private mining ventures, businesses and residences.
What steps were ordered?
A fresh district-level threat assessment, implementation of NACTA security procedures, re-verification of NOCs, and security audits of residences and workplaces. The IGP warned that negligence “would not be tolerated”.
