PM Shehbaz likely to visit China amid renewed terror threat

Security of Chinese projects and nationals prioritised for Shehbaz's Beijing trip next month after attacks

ISLAMABAD:

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is expected to undertake an official visit to China next month as part of efforts to give a renewed push to China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a flagship programme of Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), but the latest terrorist attack is likely to overshadow the economic agenda.

As the dates were being finalised for Shehbaz’s maiden trip since he returned to the Prime Minister Office following the elections, another terrorist attack struck Chinese nationals in Basham on Tuesday.

An explosive laden vehicle hit the convey of Chinese engineers working on the Dasu Hydroelectric power project, leaving six dead including five Chinese nationals.

The attack was the latest in a series of attacks that targeted Chinese nationals and interests over the past few years.

This was the third attack in a week that directly or indirectly seems to have targeted the Chinese interests. The attacks on Gwadar Port Authority Complex, Naval airbase and now Bisham assault all were apparently aimed at undermining the China-Pakistan cooperation.

Following this spate of attacks, the security of Chinese projects and Chinese nationals would remain high on the agenda when Shehbaz travels to Beijing next month, according to the sources.

Read also: Five Chinese among six killed in Bisham suicide attack

China has been increasingly concerned over the security of CPEC and its nationals in view of the repeated attacks.

In July 2021, at least nine engineers working on the Dasu project were killed in a suicide attack in the Kohistan region. The Chinese suspended the work for months before Pakistan introduced new measures to tighten security.

Pakistan at the time accused the Indian and Afghan intelligence agencies of being behind the attack, though no group publicly took responsibility.

However, the fact that terrorists managed to strike again in the same area raised questions about the security measures.

Pakistan created a separate army division headed by a major general to provide security to CPEC projects and the people working on them.

Given that China would not take the latest attack lightly, Pakistan’s civil and military leadership were swift in condemning the Bisham attack.

Read: 8 terrorists killed as army repulses attack on Gwadar Port

Prime Minister Shehbaz went to the Chinese Embassy to express his condolences. The prime minister assured the Chinese ambassador that his government would investigate the incident at the highest level and bring to justice all those responsible for it.

A statement issued by the foreign office said the government of Pakistan strongly condemned the heinous act of terrorism.

"We will take all necessary measures to bring the terrorists and their facilitators to justice. Such dastardly acts cannot dent the resolve of Pakistani nation to fight against the scourge of terrorism," it said.

"Today’s attack was orchestrated by the enemies of Pakistan-China friendship. We will resolutely act against all such forces and defeat them."

It said the people and government of Pakistan stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our Chinese friends in this difficult time and extend sincere condolences to the families of the Chinese nationals killed in the attack.

"Pakistan and China are close friends and iron brothers. The life and safety of Chinese nationals in Pakistan is of paramount importance. Pakistan will continue to work with our Chinese brothers in ensuring the safety and security of Chinese nationals, projects and institutions in Pakistan," the statement further said.