Pakistan and China are holding discussions to improve security for Chinese nationals working in Pakistan, Islamabad’s ambassador to Beijing, Khalil Hashmi, said on Wednesday.
According to a DAWN report, China has invested heavily in Pakistan under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a $65 billion initiative linked to President Xi Jinping’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Thousands of Chinese workers are involved in CPEC projects, making security a key concern. Recent militant attacks have targeted Chinese nationals, threatening economic cooperation and stability.
Speaking at the Boao Forum in China’s Hainan province, Hashmi emphasized Pakistan’s commitment to protecting Chinese citizens. “It is our national responsibility, and we are doing everything possible,” he said, adding that both nations are working closely on intelligence sharing and refining security protocols. “It’s a work in progress, but there is a high level of trust between our two countries.”
China has been urging Pakistan to allow its own security forces to protect Chinese workers, especially after an October bombing at Karachi airport killed two Chinese engineers.
During President Asif Ali Zardari’s recent visit to China, he met with President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang, and National People's Congress Chairman Zhao Leji to discuss security and cooperation in defence, agriculture, and information technology.
A joint statement from Pakistan’s Foreign Office (FO) strongly condemned terrorist attacks targeting Chinese personnel and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to safeguarding Chinese projects and citizens as a "top priority" under their "all-weather strategic cooperative partnership."
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
