Chinese PM to visit despite Karachi blast

ISLAMABAD:

The visit of Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang for the meeting of Council of Heads of Governments of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and bilateral engagements with Pakistan is on track despite recent terrorist attack in Karachi that killed two Chinese nationals.

Sources told The Express Tribune on Wednesday that there is no change in the planned visit of the Chinese prime minister to Pakistan next week.

There were uncertainties about the visit after terrorist attack outside the Jinnah International Airport killed two Chinese engineers. This was the second terrorist attack targeting the Chinese nationals in Pakistan. On March 26, at least five Chinese engineers were killed when explosive laden vehicle hit their bus in Besham. They were working on a Dasu Hydroelectric Power project.

The latest attack that, too, in Karachi shook both the Chinese and Pakistani authorities.

The sources said that was certainly an embarrassing moment for Pakistan that despite promises of ensuring a foolproof security for the Chinese nationals, the Karachi attack happened.

However, the sources said it was a relief that despite the attack the Chinese prime minister is coming to Islamabad.

This will be the first visit of any Chinese prime minister to Pakistan in 11 years. It comes at a crucial time when Pakistan is desperately seeking more help from Beijing to put the country's economy on sustainable growth.

The visit is significant as both sides are working behind the scenes to sign a number of agreements to deepen their cooperation.

However, the Karachi attack would likely overshadow other discussions, according to sources.

China in the past expressed concerns over the repeated attacks against its nationals.

One of the senior Chinese Ministers after Besham attack visited Pakistan and made it clear in public that any future investment in the country dependent on the security for the Chinese.

Following the Besham terrorist attack, Pakistan revisited the security arrangements for Chinese nationals and started implementing new protocols. However, despite those protocols the terrorists managed to strike in Karachi, raising questions about the plan.

It is believed that the Chinese Prime Minister would push for the proposal of joint security company to manage security of CPEC and other Chinese investment.

China's support for Pakistan is crucial to navigate through the troubled economic waters.

Meanwhile, other delegates are also going ahead with their visits. Sources said the Russian Prime Minister already confirmed its participation. Indian has also formally intimated to the foreign office about the visit of its Foreign Minister S J Shankar.

After the Karachi incident, authorities are not taking any chances as far as the security of SCO delegates is concerned.

The federal government has announced public holidays from October 14 to 16 in order ensure the smooth conduct of SCO meeting and movement of delegates.

The two-day meeting will kick off on October 15. The council of Heads of Governments is the second highest forum of SCO, a Eurasian alliance being seen with suspicion in the west due to the presence of Russia and China.