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Chinese Workers Targeted in Pakistan: Who is Behind the Attacks and What’s Next?

The repeated targeting of Chinese nationals undermines its ability to attract foreign investment and jeopardizes its long-standing partnership with China.

 

Security personnel inspect the detonation site of the terrorist attack at a university in Karachi, Pakistan, April 26, 2022. Photo: Xinhua

Attacks on Chinese citizens working in Pakistan have become a critical issue, raising tensions between the two countries and putting major infrastructure projects at risk. In recent years, there have been several targeted attacks on Chinese nationals, particularly those involved in projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a flagship initiative of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). These incidents have not only claimed lives but also strained diplomatic relations, with China repeatedly expressing concerns over the safety of its citizens in Pakistan.

One of the most recent attacks occurred in Karachi, where a suicide bomber targeted a convoy of Chinese nationals near the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) guard room at the outer signal of Karachi’s airport. The attacker rammed an explosives-laden Toyota Hilux into the convoy, causing a devastating explosion. The Chinese Embassy in Pakistan confirmed that two Chinese nationals were killed in the attack, with another sustaining injuries. There were also local casualties, although the exact number of Pakistani victims remains unclear. The incident highlights the growing threat to Chinese workers in Pakistan, especially in regions where militant groups have escalated their activities.

Following the attack, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visited the Chinese Embassy in Islamabad to meet with Ambassador Jiang Zaidong. The prime minister extended his condolences over the deaths of the Chinese nationals and assured China of Pakistan’s commitment to ensuring the safety of its citizens. The attack was widely condemned by Pakistani authorities, with assurances of a thorough investigation to bring the perpetrators to justice. However, these reassurances have done little to allay China’s growing concerns.

China, which has heavily invested in Pakistan through CPEC, has repeatedly urged Pakistan to take stronger measures to protect its citizens. There have been discussions within Chinese leadership circles about bringing in Chinese security forces to safeguard their workers. While this idea remains under consideration, it reflects China’s serious concerns over the ability of Pakistan’s security forces to prevent such attacks. The presence of Chinese security forces on Pakistani soil would be an unprecedented move, signifying the gravity of the situation.

The Karachi incident is just one in a series of attacks targeting Chinese nationals in Pakistan. In April 2022, a suicide bomber targeted a van carrying Chinese teachers at Karachi University. The attack, claimed by the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), resulted in the deaths of three Chinese nationals and their Pakistani driver. The BLA, a separatist group that opposes Chinese involvement in Balochistan, has been behind several such attacks, aiming to disrupt the economic collaboration between the two countries. The group views CPEC as a threat to their regional autonomy and accuses China and Pakistan of exploiting the province’s resources without benefiting the local population.

Earlier, in July 2021, a bus carrying Chinese engineers working on the Dasu Hydropower Project in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province was attacked. A powerful explosion ripped through the vehicle, killing nine Chinese engineers and four Pakistanis. The attack caused outrage in China, with Chinese officials demanding an immediate investigation and accountability for the perpetrators. Pakistan initially claimed the explosion was an accident but later confirmed it was a terrorist attack. This attack was particularly significant as it targeted a project central to Pakistan’s energy development plans, further jeopardizing the future of Chinese investments in the country.

In response to these attacks, Pakistan has ramped up security for Chinese workers, creating special security units and increasing the number of security personnel assigned to protect Chinese nationals and infrastructure projects. However, the scale and frequency of the attacks suggest that these measures may not be sufficient. Militants have proven capable of carrying out high-profile, well-coordinated attacks, bypassing security protocols and exploiting vulnerabilities.

Chinese authorities have expressed their dissatisfaction with the security situation in Pakistan. In several official statements, Beijing has demanded that Islamabad take stronger and more effective measures to protect its nationals. In the aftermath of each attack, Chinese diplomats have engaged in high-level talks with Pakistani officials, pressing for better security arrangements. However, the growing frustration on the Chinese side is palpable, with some Chinese officials reportedly questioning the viability of continuing with certain projects if their citizens remain unsafe.

The possibility of China bringing in its own security forces to protect its workers is not just a hypothetical scenario. In recent years, China has increased the presence of private security contractors in high-risk regions, including Africa and the Middle East, where Chinese investments have been targeted. Pakistan, given the strategic importance of CPEC, could become the next country where China deploys such forces. This would not only challenge Pakistan’s sovereignty but also alter the dynamics of the China-Pakistan relationship, which has traditionally been framed as a partnership based on mutual trust and cooperation.

The question of who is behind these attacks is complex. Several militant groups in Pakistan have taken responsibility for targeting Chinese nationals, each with its own motives. The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), for instance, is fiercely opposed to Chinese investments in Balochistan. The group argues that the benefits of CPEC are disproportionately skewed in favor of the federal government and foreign investors, leaving the local Baloch population marginalized. The BLA’s campaign against CPEC is rooted in a broader separatist movement that seeks greater autonomy for Balochistan, a region rich in natural resources but plagued by poverty and underdevelopment.

In addition to the BLA, other militant groups with a broader anti-China agenda have been involved in attacks. The Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), an Islamist militant group with ties to the Afghan Taliban, has also been implicated in attacks on Chinese interests in Pakistan. The TTP views China as an ally of the Pakistani government and, by extension, an enemy of their cause. The group has repeatedly targeted infrastructure projects, viewing them as symbols of foreign exploitation and a threat to their vision of an Islamic state.

Moreover, there is speculation that foreign actors may be involved in stoking violence against Chinese nationals in Pakistan. Some analysts argue that countries opposed to China’s growing influence in South Asia, particularly India, could be supporting militant groups to destabilize CPEC. While there is no concrete evidence to substantiate these claims, the geopolitical rivalry between China and India, coupled with Pakistan’s strategic importance in China’s Belt and Road Initiative, makes the region a hotspot for proxy conflicts.

The consequences of these attacks are far-reaching. For Pakistan, the repeated targeting of Chinese nationals undermines its ability to attract foreign investment and jeopardizes its long-standing partnership with China. The CPEC projects, which are central to Pakistan’s economic growth and infrastructure development, could face delays or even cancellations if the security situation does not improve. For China, the attacks raise difficult questions about the risks of its overseas investments and the limits of its influence in volatile regions.

Both countries are deeply invested in the success of CPEC, but the escalating violence against Chinese nationals poses a serious threat to the future of the partnership. If China does decide to bring in its own security forces, it would signal a significant shift in the nature of the bilateral relationship, potentially creating tensions over issues of sovereignty and control. The attacks on Chinese nationals in Pakistan are not just isolated incidents of violence; they are a reflection of deeper, systemic issues that could reshape the region’s geopolitical landscape in the years to come.

The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Coverpage’s editorial stance.

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