ISLAMABAD: A team of 15 Chinese investigators, accompanied by Pakistani officials, have launched a probe into a bus attack in the northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province earlier this week, Pakistan’s foreign ministry said on Sunday.
The blast in Dasu on Wednesday killed 13 people, including nine Chinese nationals, when their bus, which was shuttling them to an under-construction dam site in the area, came under attack.
“The Chinese side was briefed regarding the progress in the ongoing investigation indicating the possibility of sabotage and about the care being provided to the injured,” the foreign ministry statement said.
The delegation from Beijing comprises representatives from the Chinese Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Commerce and criminal investigation and technical experts.
Earlier on Saturday, Pakistan’s Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed said that the government had reassured Beijing of providing “foolproof security” to its nationals involved in various infrastructure projects under the prestigious $62 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) initiative.
The assurances were formally communicated to Beijing during a lengthy phone call between Sheikh Rasheed and his Chinese counterpart, Zhao Kezhi.
Sheikh Rasheed added that the bus incident was orchestrated ahead of the China-Pakistan Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) meeting that was canceled by Beijing after the blast “for maximum impact.”
Investigators from China join Pakistan bus blast probe that killed 9 Chinese
https://arab.news/jw3pu
Investigators from China join Pakistan bus blast probe that killed 9 Chinese
- Nine Chinese workers were among 13 killed in the attack earlier this week
- Pakistan reassures ‘foolproof security’ to Chinese nationals in the country
Pakistan to promote mineral sector at Saudi forum this month with 13 companies
- Delegation will take part in the Future Minerals Forum in Riyadh from Jan. 13-15
- Petroleum minister will lead Pakistan, participate in a 90-minute country session
ISLAMABAD: Around 13 Pakistani state-owned and private companies will attend the Future Minerals Forum (FMF) in Saudi Arabia from Jan. 13 to 15, an official statement said on Friday, as the country seeks to ramp up global engagement to develop its mineral resources.
The FMF is an international conference and investment platform for the mining sector, hosted by mineral-rich countries to attract global investors, companies and governments.
Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik confirmed Pakistan’s participation in a meeting with the Saudi envoy, Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki.
Pakistan hosts one of the world’s largest copper-gold zones. The Reko Diq mine in southwestern Balochistan, with an estimated 5.9 billion tons of ore, is partly owned by Barrick Gold, which calls it one of the world’s largest underdeveloped copper-gold deposits. Its development is expected to boost Pakistan’s struggling economy.
“Upon an invitation of the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Federal Minister informed the Ambassador that Pakistan will fully participate in the upcoming Future Minerals Forum (FMF), scheduled to be held in Riyadh later this month,” Pakistan’s Press Information Department (PID) said in an official statement.
The Pakistani minister will lead his country’s delegation at the FMF and take part in a 90-minute country showcase session titled “Unleashing Potential: Accelerating Pakistan’s Mineral Revolution” along with local and foreign investors.
Pakistan will also establish a dedicated pavilion to highlight the vast potential of its rich geological landscape to the global mineral community.
The Saudi envoy welcomed Pakistan’s decision to participate in the forum and discussed enhancing bilateral cooperation in the minerals and energy sectors during the meeting.
According to the statement, he highlighted the potential for cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan in the minerals and energy sectors, expressing confidence that the FMF would provide a platform to expand collaboration.
Pakistan’s mineral sector, despite its rich reserves of salt, copper, gold and coal, contributes only 3.2 percent to the country’s GDP and just 0.1 percent to global mineral exports.
However, many countries, including the United States, have shown interest in Pakistan’s underdeveloped mineral sector, particularly in copper, gold and other critical resources.
In October, Pakistan dispatched its first-ever shipment of rare earth and critical minerals to the United States, according to a Chicago-based US public relations firm’s report.
