INTERIOR Minister Mohsin Naqvi has pledged to enhance security for Chinese nationals in Pakistan, particularly in response to a recent attack in Karachi that left two Chinese injured. During a meeting in Islamabad with Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong, Naqvi expressed solidarity and regret over the Karachi incident. Naqvi underscored that protecting Chinese citizens remains a top priority, especially in the light of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects, which are integral to the bilateral partnership.
There is no doubt that Pakistan authorities are fully resolved to take all possible measures for an improved security environment for Chinese nationals working on different projects in the country but the issue of security remains a daunting challenge in view of what we have witnessed during the last two years. It is an open secret that some foreign powers are apprehensive of the strategic partnership between Pakistan and China and are opposing tooth and nail all initiatives aimed at developing Pakistan on modern lines in close collaboration with Beijing, especially through the CPEC. A country has a dedicated wing of the intelligence agency with sizable budget to conspire against the CPEC and all out attempts are being made to dent the cooperative partnership between Islamabad and Beijing. Realizing the gravity of the situation, Pakistan Army has raised a special division to provide security to Chinese nationals and development projects and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is personally looking after the issue of security for Chinese nationals. The very fact that the Prime Minister himself visited the Chinese Embassy in Islamabad on Wednesday to condemn the shooting incident in Karachi speaks volumes about the importance that Pakistan attaches to the issue of security. The PM emphasized that security of Chinese nationals is top priority for the Government of Pakistan. However, in view of repeated incidents of attacks on Chinese nationals and their repercussions for the ongoing and future projects, the two countries need to intensify their cooperation in the realm of security to jointly foil designs of the enemy. Pakistan is grateful to the Chinese leadership for proper understanding of the situation and willingness to continue to partner with Pakistan in its search for progress and prosperity. It is understood that the foreign agencies cannot succeed without collusion of some local elements, which should be unmasked and taken to task.
