Protecting Chinese workers not just matter of security but also of economics and politics for Pakistan

On October 6, a suicide attack occurred near Karachi's Jinnah International Airport wherein two Chinese nationals were killed and one was injured, marking the latest in a string of violence against Chinese citizens working in Pakistan. At least seven others were injured, according to rescue workers at the scene, where a massive blast set cars ablaze and was heard throughout the city. The attack targeted a convoy carrying Chinese staff of a Coal-fired Power Plant at Port Qasim. Separatist extremist group Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for the attack. The group, believed to be supported by foreign hands, sought to undermine the Sino-Pak relations.

The latest attack on a convoy once again brought the issue of security and safety of the Chinese working in Pakistan into the limelight. The governments of both countries -China and Pakistan - have once again resolved not to let the forces of destruction be successful in their heinous motives of widening the gap between the people of both nations. However, the question is how to end this violence against the Chinese working in Pakistan.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the incident and offered condolences to the Chinese leadership and the people of China. The PM resolved that Pakistan stands committed to safeguarding its Chinese friends. We will leave no stone unturned to ensure their security.

The incident follows a spate of terror attacks earlier this year that the government said were aimed at disrupting its close ties with China. It also comes days before Islamabad is set to host a meeting of heads of government from the countries that are part of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

China's embassy urged Pakistan to take all necessary measures to protect the safety of Chinese citizens, institutions, and projects in Pakistan. Following the attack, China quickly sent an inter-agency working group to Pakistan as part of the response to the incident, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said last Friday. When answering a relevant query, the spokesperson said that after arriving in Islamabad on Oct. 8, the working group immediately joined the Embassy in Pakistan and the company concerned in the emergency response.

The working group met intensively with heads of the Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Interior, and military, police and intelligence departments, and asked the Pakistani side to handle ensuing matters properly, make every effort to save the injured, conduct thorough investigations, bring all the perpetrators to justice, and step up security measures to ensure the safety and security of Chinese personnel, institutions and projects in Pakistan, according to the spokesperson.

On the other side, Pakistan has resolved that it would further strengthen security measures and make an all-out effort to protect China's interests in Pakistan. Pakistan has been making significant efforts to enhance the protection of Chinese nationals residing or working in the country, largely due to the importance of China-Pakistan relations and the multifaceted collaboration between the two countries, particularly through the CPEC.

Despite the best efforts of the government, the security has been breached and precious lives have been taken. If this pattern goes on, it will be dangerous for the future of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) which is dubbed by many a game-changer project for Pakistan's economy. So, there is a dire need to tackle the issue of violence against foreign nationals as well as Pakistanis. It is time for the governments of Pakistan and China to coordinate more closely in this regard.

The Pakistan-China partnership, often described as all-weather and iron-clad, has deepened in recent decades, particularly with the initiation of CPEC in 2013. CPEC is a cornerstone project under China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), involving multibillion-dollar infrastructure investments, energy projects, and trade routes. As a result, a large number of Chinese nationals, including engineers, construction workers, and business personnel, have come to Pakistan to oversee these projects.

The importance of Chinese nationals to Pakistan's economy and strategic interests necessitates their protection. However, security challenges, particularly from insurgent and extremist groups such as the BLA and other militant organizations, have posed significant risks.

To address the issue, Pakistan has taken several concrete steps to enhance the security of Chinese citizens that include; the creation of Special Security Divisions: in 2016, Pakistan established two Special Security Divisions, each consisting of 9,000 personnel from the Pakistan Army and civilian security forces. These divisions were tasked with protecting CPEC-related infrastructure, projects, and personnel, including Chinese nationals. These forces operate across Pakistan, particularly in volatile areas like Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where insurgent activities are frequent; Enhanced Coordination with Chinese Authorities: Pakistan has increased security cooperation with China, working closely with Chinese intelligence agencies to prevent attacks targeting Chinese nationals. The two countries have conducted joint security assessments, information sharing, and intelligence coordination to preempt and counter threats; Technology-Based Surveillance: Pakistan has also invested in surveillance technologies to safeguard Chinese citizens and CPEC infrastructure. This includes the use of CCTV cameras, drone surveillance, and other monitoring systems to ensure early detection of potential security threats; Escort Services and Convoy Security: for Chinese workers in particularly high-risk areas, Pakistan has implemented convoy systems and military escorts to ensure safe travel between project sites. This level of protection has been especially prominent in Balochistan and the tribal areas bordering Afghanistan and Expansion of Police and Paramilitary Forces, local police and paramilitary units have been expanded and better equipped in areas hosting large Chinese communities or CPEC projects. These forces undergo specialized training to deal with threats such as insurgency, sabotage, and kidnapping attempts aimed at Chinese nationals.

Each time any attack occurs, it sparks a diplomatic response from China, which has called on Pakistan to intensify its efforts to safeguard its citizens. In response, Pakistan's leadership, including the Prime Minister and Army Chief, have repeatedly reaffirmed their commitment to protecting Chinese nationals and ensuring the continuity of the CPEC.

The need to protect Chinese nationals in Pakistan is not just a matter of security but also economics and politics. CPEC represents one of the largest sources of foreign investment in Pakistan and is seen as a potential game-changer for the country's economy. Ensuring the safety of Chinese workers is, therefore, vital for maintaining investor confidence and ensuring the successful completion of projects critical for Pakistan's development.

Pakistan's commitment to this issue is strong, and the cooperation with China, particularly in intelligence-sharing and counter-terrorism efforts, is likely to further enhance the preemptive measures to protect Chinese nationals and projects. However, long-term security for Chinese nationals depends on addressing the root causes of militancy in Pakistan, including political grievances, economic disparity, and the influence of foreign-funded extremist ideologies as well as reducing regional inequalities and ensuring inclusive economic growth.