ISLAMABAD: China pushes for Islamabad for joint security plan after the recent attack on Chinese citizens in Karachi.
Beijing is urging Pakistan to permit Chinese security personnel to protect thousands of its citizens working in Pakistan following a car bombing in Karachi, viewed as a significant security lapse, according to sources.
The recent attack at Karachi airport killed two Chinese engineers returning from Thailand, marking the latest in a series of assaults on Chinese interests in Pakistan. In response, China is pushing for formal talks on a joint security management framework.
Five Pakistani security and government officials confirmed to Reuters, under anonymity due to the sensitivity of the negotiations, that China wants its own security presence. “They want to bring in their own security,” one official revealed, though Pakistan has not yet agreed to the proposal.
It remains unclear whether China intends to deploy state or private security personnel. No official confirmation of the talks has been issued by either country.
Sources indicated both parties agree on a joint security management system, with Pakistan allowing Chinese officials to participate in security meetings and coordination, but no consensus has been reached on China’s active involvement in ground-level security.
Pakistan has instead sought China’s assistance in enhancing its intelligence and surveillance capabilities. China’s foreign ministry stated it was unaware of such negotiations but reiterated its commitment to cooperating with Pakistan to safeguard Chinese citizens and assets.
Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations and other ministries declined to comment. However, the interior ministry recently announced plans for a joint strategy to prevent future incidents.
Grave Security Breach
The Karachi bombing incident has heightened China’s demands for control over its citizens’ security. The attack involved a pickup truck with nearly 100 kg of explosives, which lingered near the airport’s security perimeter before targeting a vehicle carrying Chinese engineers – a breach described as severe by officials.
Investigators suspect inside help enabled the attackers to access sensitive details about the engineers’ movements. The engineers were en route to a CPEC-linked power plant after a month-long break in Thailand.
China, a longstanding ally of Pakistan, has invested heavily in projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), part of a $65-billion Belt and Road Initiative to extend its global influence through infrastructure development.
Chinese Frustrations
While publicly supporting Pakistan’s security arrangements, China has privately expressed dissatisfaction. In a recent meeting, Chinese officials presented evidence of Pakistan’s failure to adhere to agreed security protocols, noted three officials. These protocols typically mandate stringent measures for the safety and movement of Chinese nationals.
Thousands of Pakistani security personnel are tasked with guarding Chinese workers, though only China’s embassy and consulates in Pakistan are permitted to have Chinese security officials.
Related Posts
Ensuring security of Chinese nationals govt’s top priority: Naqvi
