Ishaq Dar – The Print

Islamabad, Oct 30 (PTI) The Pakistan government will leave no stone unturned to protect the lives and properties of Chinese nationals living in the country, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar said, while highlighting how authorities arrested most of the attackers involved were in recent attacks. attacks on workers from China.

Dar’s comments came Tuesday at a Pakistan-China Institute conference titled “China at 75: A Journey of Progress, Transformation and Global Leadership.”

Without revealing details, Dar, who is also foreign minister, confirmed that authorities had arrested several suspects believed to be involved in recent incidents, the Dawn newspaper reported.

“Most of the attackers have been arrested,” he revealed. “We will leave no stone unturned to protect the lives and property of Chinese in Pakistan. These suspects will appear in court after due process and further details will be shared directly with President Xi Jinping during President Zardari’s visit to China next month,” Dar said.

Earlier this month, a suicide bombing near Karachi airport, claimed by the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), killed two Chinese citizens and injured 10 others.

Speaking on the occasion, Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong expressed Beijing’s concerns about these threats and urged further action to protect Chinese citizens and investments.

“The security of Chinese citizens is of utmost importance to President Xi,” Jiang said, adding that President Xi has emphasized this several times in his meetings with Pakistani leaders.

Thousands of Chinese personnel are working in Pakistan on various projects under the auspices of the $60 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

The BLA accuses China and Islamabad of exploiting the resource-rich province, a charge rejected by authorities. It has fought a long rebellion for a separate homeland.

The group carried out similar suicide bombings in Karachi over the past two years, targeting foreigners.

The BLA claimed responsibility for an attack on a Pakistani naval air base near the Chinese-run port of Gwadar in March this year.

In April 2022, the group killed three Chinese teachers and a Pakistani driver in a suicide bombing near Karachi University’s Confucius Institute.

In November 2018, gunmen killed at least four people in an attack on the Chinese consulate in Karachi.

Stressing Pakistan’s resolve to fight terrorism, Dar highlighted the government’s recent counter-terrorism operation Azm-i-Istehkam as a step towards restoring stability. He noted that while Pakistan faces minimal external military threats, “hostile forces” aim to weaken the country economically.

The strategic alliance between China and Pakistan, anchored by the CPEC, remains strong, Dar pointed out. He added that Pakistan’s security forces are fully committed to safeguarding this partnership as it continues its expansion into crucial economic sectors. PTI SH NSA NSA

This report is automatically generated by PTI news service. ThePrint is not responsible for its content.