KARACHI: The provincial administration of Sindh held a meeting on Tuesday to review and strengthen security measures taken to protect Chinese nationals working on various projects in the province after a deadly attack at the Karachi airport killed two of them earlier this month.
The two countries jointly initiated a series of energy and infrastructure development projects under the multibillion-dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to aid Pakistan’s development. However, militants have persistently targeted Chinese nationals in different parts of the country, raising concerns about their safety and the prospects of the economic collaboration between the two nations.
A massive blast outside the Karachi airport in Sindh killed two engineers from China working in the energy sector on October 6, only a few days ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit in Islamabad attended by dozens of high-profile foreign dignitaries in the federal capital.
“The security of CPEC and non-CPEC affiliated Chinese citizens must be coordinated and effective at every level,” Sindh Interior Minister Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar, who presided over the meeting attended by law enforcement and intelligence officials, was quoted as saying in an official statement circulated after the meeting.
The minister also expressed concern over the safety of Chinese nationals working with Pakistani businesses.
“Sponsors must also be made aware of their responsibilities regarding the arrival and security of foreigners in Sindh,” he continued.
Lanjar maintained that with the formal support and cooperation of the Sindh government, the overall security for foreigners and Chinese workers affiliated with CPEC and non-CPEC projects must be improved.
Karachi has also witnessed attacks against Chinese nationals in the past.
In April 2022, a female suicide bomber killed three Chinese teachers in Karachi along with their local driver at a university, prompting the authorities in both Islamabad and Beijing to express concern about the violence targeting people from China in Pakistan.
The renewed focus on security underscores the ongoing threats faced by Chinese workers, and efforts being ramped up to prevent such incidents from jeopardizing bilateral ties and economic collaboration between the two countries.
Pakistani officials call for greater coordination on Chinese workers’ security after Karachi attack
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Pakistani officials call for greater coordination on Chinese workers’ security after Karachi attack
- Sindh government wants local sponsors of Chinese workers to ensure security of their guests
- Provincial minister promises official support to ensure security for CPEC, non-CPEC workers
