The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Police on Wednesday launched a Chinese language training programme for its personnel to enhance security for Chinese engineers and foreign project staff, with the first batch of 20 Special Security Unit (SSU) personnel having completed the course.

The trained personnel have been deployed at Chinese and other foreign projects, including the Suki Kinari Hydropower Project, Peshawar Airport, Project Peshawar, RWS Khyber, Rashakai Economic Zone, Tarbela Dam in Swabi, Project Haripur, BHPP Mansehra, Dasu Dam, Bhasha Dam and SSU Lines Mardan.

Police officials said communication difficulties had persisted in the past with Chinese engineers and foreign staff due to the language barrier. The trained personnel would now be able to directly communicate security matters and coordinate in Chinese.

Read: Security of foreigners to be beefed up in KP

Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Special Security Unit Syed Ashfaq Anwar told The Express Tribune that SSU personnel had been given formal Chinese language training for the first time in the province.

He said the second batch of officers was also in the final stage of completing the foreign language course.

He said other foreign languages would also be taught to personnel in the future, as effective communication with foreign citizens had become an essential requirement of security alongside modern technology and professional training.