Pakistan holds Special Security forces parade

PESHAWAR: Pakistan army today held a passing out parade of the recruits of its 10,000-strong special Security Division raised to protect the restive Khyber Pakthunkhwa portion of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor.

A total of 318 recruits of Special Security Division (SSD) Wing of Frontier Corps took part in the parade held at Timargara in Dir lower district of Khyber Pakthunkhwa.

Major General Muhammad Tayyab Azam, Inspector General Frontier Corps, was the chief guest.

Pakistan army has created the special division for the protection of Chinese engineers, project directors, experts and workers employed on various Chinese-funded projects across the country.

A total of 10,000 troops have been dedicated to the protection of Chinese professionals.

The decision was taken by President Mamnoon Hussain after Chinese President Xi Jinping raised the issue of security for the Chinese professionals working in Pakistan during his first official visit to the country in April this year.

The historic China-Pakistan Economic Corridor project worth USD 46 billion was signed during the visit.

India had expressed its concerns over the landmark project which intends to create infrastructure network that will see a land route linking China's west to the Arabian Sea through Kashmir.