ISLAMABAD – Minister for Planning and Development Makhdoom Khusro Bukhtiartold the Senate that a comprehensive security blanket has been put in placefor the security of CPEC.

He said that special security division comprising nine battalions ofPakistan Army and six wings of civil armed force have been raised for thesecurity of Chinese working on CPEC projects across the country.

The Planning Minister pointed out that there are certain elements who donot want CPEC to become a successful model. He said due to security relatedthreats, special arrangements have been made for the CPEC. He said that thenew government under the leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan is lookingat all aspects of this mega project and will take it forward.

Adviser on Commerce Abdul Razzaq Dawood told the House in clear terms thatUtility Stores Corporation is not being closed down. He said that we willrationalize its branches which have no business. He said technology willalso be introduced in USC to make it more efficient. He said the USC facedloss of 4.7 billion rupees last year.