NEW DELHI: China has asked Pakistan to thoroughly investigate and track down the culprits responsible for the recent suicide attack on Chinese citizens in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, amid speculation that Beijing may push Islamabad to accept its security agencies to guard the Cpec projects following a spike in attacks on them in the last few days.
The attack, which resulted in the deaths of at least five Chinese nationals, has raised concerns about the security of individuals working on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (Cpec) projects.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian emphasized the importance of holding the perpetrators accountable and ensuring justice is served. “China asks Pakistan to thoroughly investigate the incident as soon as possible, hunt down the perpetrators and bring them to justice,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian told a media briefing.
Despite the escalating attacks on Chinese projects, China reaffirmed its support for Pakistan and expressed confidence in their joint efforts to combat terrorism. “Our two countries are all-weather strategic cooperative partners. Our iron-clad friendship is deeply rooted in the two peoples. No attempt to sabotage China-Pakistan cooperation will ever succeed”, Lin said.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s upcoming visit to Beijing is anticipated, where discussions on potential Chinese investments to boost Pakistan’s economy are expected to take place.
The safety of Chinese personnel working on the Cpec projects has become a growing concern following multiple recent attacks, including the targeting of a naval airbase and the Gwadar port.
In response to the terrorist attack, Prime Minister Sharif has called for a thorough joint investigation to identify the perpetrators. Analysts believe that extremist groups, including the Balochistan Liberation Army, are behind the attacks.
The attack bears resemblance to a previous incident in 2021, in which nine Chinese nationals and four Pakistani people were killed.
The disquieting factor for China is the militants are resorting to suicide bomb attacks making it difficult for the security agencies to prevent them.
China’s proposal to deploy its security agencies for protection has faced resistance from Pakistan, which currently manages security arrangements at the project sites.
(With inputs from agencies)
The attack, which resulted in the deaths of at least five Chinese nationals, has raised concerns about the security of individuals working on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (Cpec) projects.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian emphasized the importance of holding the perpetrators accountable and ensuring justice is served. “China asks Pakistan to thoroughly investigate the incident as soon as possible, hunt down the perpetrators and bring them to justice,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian told a media briefing.
Despite the escalating attacks on Chinese projects, China reaffirmed its support for Pakistan and expressed confidence in their joint efforts to combat terrorism. “Our two countries are all-weather strategic cooperative partners. Our iron-clad friendship is deeply rooted in the two peoples. No attempt to sabotage China-Pakistan cooperation will ever succeed”, Lin said.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s upcoming visit to Beijing is anticipated, where discussions on potential Chinese investments to boost Pakistan’s economy are expected to take place.
The safety of Chinese personnel working on the Cpec projects has become a growing concern following multiple recent attacks, including the targeting of a naval airbase and the Gwadar port.
In response to the terrorist attack, Prime Minister Sharif has called for a thorough joint investigation to identify the perpetrators. Analysts believe that extremist groups, including the Balochistan Liberation Army, are behind the attacks.
The attack bears resemblance to a previous incident in 2021, in which nine Chinese nationals and four Pakistani people were killed.
The disquieting factor for China is the militants are resorting to suicide bomb attacks making it difficult for the security agencies to prevent them.
China’s proposal to deploy its security agencies for protection has faced resistance from Pakistan, which currently manages security arrangements at the project sites.
(With inputs from agencies)