Minister of Public Security Zhou Yongkang on Tuesday called on Pakistan to take further measures for the security of Chinese working in the south Asian country.

 

"We hope Pakistan will look into the terrorist attacks aiming at Chinese people and organizations as soon as possible and severely punish the criminals," Zhou told visiting Pakistani Interior Minister Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao.

 

Sherpao's visit came days after seven abducted Chinese -- a couple and five of their women employees -- got released in the Pakistani capital of Islamabad Saturday night.

 

They had been taken away from their residence in Islamabad early Saturday morning by Lal Masjid students.

 

While appreciating the support of the Pakistani government on helping get the kidnapped Chinese released, Zhou said China expected Pakistan to take active measures to ensure the personal and property security of Chinese working in the country.

 

In response, Sherpao said Pakistan will take more rigorous actions to safeguard the security of Chinese people and organizations in Pakistan.

 

Zhou, also state councilor, hailed the close cooperation between the public security departments between China and Pakistan, citing their joint fight against the "three evil forces" of terrorism, separatism and extremism, cross-border crime and drug trafficking.

 

"China would like to work more closely with Pakistan on fields like law enforcement and counter-terrorism," Zhou said.

 

After talks, Zhou and Sherpao signed an exchange of notes, which requires Chinese Ministry of Public Security to offer assistance of police equipment to Pakistan.

 

During his four-day stay in Beijing, Sherpao is scheduled to meet with other Chinese officials.

 

(Xinhua News Agency June 27, 2007)