THE China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a framework of regional connectivity. It will not only benefit China and Pakistan but will have positive impact on Iran, Afghanistan, Central Asian Republics and the region. To improve the lives of people of Pakistan and China by building an economic corridor promoting bilateral connectivity, construction, explore potential bilateral investment, economic and trade, logistics and people to people contact for regional connectivity are the main objectives of the CPEC. The project is considered a milestone in the strategic partnership between Pakistan and China, as it benefits both the countries. However, the safety and security of Chinese workers and engineers working on CPEC projects in Pakistan has become a serious issue as they face terrorist attacks by Baloch separatists and their affiliated militant groups, especially the Tehreek-e-Taliban, Haqqani group and Hafiz Gul Bahadur group.
It is the most important need of the hour for Pakistan to deal with the security threats faced by the Chinese citizens on an emergency basis so as to ensure the friendly relations of the two neighbours by making the CPEC successful. The project is actually China’s “Belt and Road Initiative”, a key component of ETO is to enhance connectivity and cooperation between China and Pakistan through a network of roads, railways and pipelines. With more than US$ 62 billion investment, CPEC is expected to increase employment opportunities for Pakistanis, help improve infrastructure and promote regional integration, which will improve Pakistan’s economy. But at present this most important project is facing the most serious security challenges. Terrorist groups, particularly the Baloch Liberation Army or BLA, TTP and Hafiz Gul Bahadur group have started targeting Chinese nationals working on various projects in Pakistan.
High-profile terrorist attacks from Karachi to Gwadar and Quetta to GB have exposed Pakistani authorities’ promises to provide the safest environment for Chinese residents. The Baloch Liberation Army has already demanded China to stop work on CPEC and withdraw from Balochistan immediately. The Baloch separatist group has repeatedly warned China against further CPEC-related deals with Pakistan, and has also condemned the Chinese role in the Gwadar port project. A spate of attacks on Chinese interests in Pakistan in recent months has badly damaged the myth of foolproof security provided to Chinese officials and projects in Pakistan. The attacks raise security concerns for Beijing, which is currently the largest foreign investor in Pakistan. On the other hand, Pakistan has blamed “foreign elements” for the terrorist attacks on Chinese citizens and has taken a stand that their main aim is to damage Pakistan-China relations and China Pakistan Economic Corridor projects.
These terrorist attacks on Chinese citizens in Pakistan have not only claimed precious lives, but have also shaken the confidence of Chinese investors who are now rightly demanding foolproof security. It is also felt that China is not as enthusiastic about pursuing new China Pakistan Economic Corridor schemes as it was in the past. No significant progress was made during the recent visit of the Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to China, especially regarding the CPEC file. No such impression was given in the official statements issued by the two countries after the visit. In a meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, President Xi Jinping expressed hope that Pakistan would create a “safe and stable business environment” that would guarantee the safety of “Chinese” personnel and projects. The terrorist activities targeting Chinese engineers and workers involved in CPEC projects are part of a wider conspiracy against China Pakistan Economic Corridor.
The ideal friendship between China and Pakistan will thwart the nefarious intentions of the conspirators against the CPEC. The Pakistani leadership has once again assured the Chinese leadership that those responsible for these actions will face strict accountability and their networks will be destroyed. Neither China nor Pakistan is considering limiting the scope of CPEC projects or withdrawing from them at all. Firm measures should be taken under a comprehensive policy to eliminate terrorists involved in terrorist incidents against Chinese citizens. In this regard, intelligence sharing with the Chinese authorities should also be enhanced. Not only Baloch militants or Tehreek-e-Taliban are involved in terrorist incidents against Chinese citizens, but also the ETIM group that is campaigning for the establishment of a separate state in China’s Muslim-majority Xinjiang province.
Hundreds of Chinese militants belonging to the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM) are settled in North Waziristan, where they have formed a close relationship with the TTA, TTP and Haqqani group that have persisted to this day. Based on this relationship, Baloch militants and Taliban elements, together with these Muslim militants, plan attacks on Chinese residents working on CPEC in Pakistan. Pakistani authorities say that they have in the past arrested several militants belonging to the East Turkestan Islamic Movement and handed them over to China. But on the other hand, it is also a bitter reality that the series of attacks on Chinese citizens in Pakistan has not stopped, so it is necessary to take vigorous measures to uproot the network of terrorists involved in these attacks.
—The writer is author of several books based in Islamabad.
