ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s new foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Wednesday expressed regret over the loss of life in a suicide attack in Karachi that targeted Chinese nationals, saying it was a “failed attempt” by militants to damage the longstanding relations between the two countries.
Bhutto-Zardari issued the statement while visiting the Chinese embassy in Islamabad soon after taking oath to his office which made him the youngest foreign minister in his country’s history.
Four people, including three Chinese nationals, were killed in a deadly suicide bombing in front of Karachi University’s Confucius Institute, a Chinese cultural center, which was later claimed by the separatist Baloch Liberation Army (BLA).
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also directed the authorities to increase the security of Chinese residents and institutions in Pakistan.
“The relationship between Pakistan and China is a series of loyalties from generation to generation,” the foreign minister said. “Terrorists made a failed attempt to strike at the foundation of China-Pakistan friendship.”
He added such malicious intentions of militants would not sabotage the relationship between the two countries.
Baloch nationalist groups have regularly targeted Chinese workers in Pakistan where Beijing has been undertaking lucrative mining, energy and infrastructure development projects.
A BLA spokesperson on Wednesday threatened Beijing with “harsher” attacks until it stopped its “exploitation projects” in the country’s southwestern Balochistan province.
“Hundreds of highly trained male and female members of the Baloch Liberation Army’s Majeed Brigade are ready to carry out deadly attacks in any part of Balochistan and Pakistan,” spokesman Jeeyand Baloch warned in a statement published in English.
Reacting to Tuesday’s incident, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson maintained the “ironclad friendship” between China and Pakistan was unbreakable, reported the Associated Press of Pakistan.
“Once again, we mourn the passing of the Chinese and Pakistani victims and extend our sincere sympathies to the victims and to the injured and the bereaved families,” Wang Wenbin said.
“We will work together with Pakistan to crack down on terrorist forces and make sure the culprits behind the attack pay a heavy price,” he added.
Pakistan’s new FM visits Chinese embassy, regrets loss of life in Karachi suicide bombing
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Pakistan’s new FM visits Chinese embassy, regrets loss of life in Karachi suicide bombing
- The foreign minister condemns ‘failed’ militant attempt to damage Pak-China relations
- A Baloch separatist group has warned China of ‘harsher’ attacks in the future
Pakistan police say 27 cops killed in 134 attacks in restive Bannu district in 2025
- Bannu is a restive district in northwestern Pakistan where militants frequently attack law enforcers
- Police say at least 20 drone attacks by militants killed nine civilians, injured 19 cops during the year
PESHAWAR: Police in Pakistan’s northwestern Bannu district said this week that at least 27 police personnel were killed in 134 attacks while 53 militants were killed during various security operations in the volatile area during the year, as Islamabad grapples with a surge in militancy.
Bannu district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province is one of Pakistan’s most dangerous districts, where militants affiliated with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) frequently target law enforcers in attacks.
Regional Police Officer Sajjad Khan told reporters during a press briefing on Wednesday that at least 134 “terrorist attacks” were recorded in Bannu district during 2025 that targeted police stations, posts, checkpoints, police mobiles and police parties.
“As a result of these attacks, 27 police personnel were martyred and 79 were injured,” a statement issued by Bannu Police said on Wednesday.
It said at least 168 intelligence-based operations were conducted by police across the district during the year, in which 105 militants were arrested and 65 were killed.
Khan informed media that militants carried out 20 drone attacks targeting police installations and civilian areas in 2025, killing nine civilians and injuring 19 police personnel.
“However, following the installation of an anti-drone system in Bannu district on Jul. 18, 2025, the situation improved significantly,” the statement said. “More than 300 drone attacks were thwarted, and four drones were struck/spoofed.”
He said the Bannu police force has been equipped with drones, anti-drone guns, sniper rifles, armored personnel carriers (APCs), thermal imaging systems, tactical helmets and bulletproof vehicles.
“Bannu police reiterates its resolve to continue its struggle to maintain law and order in the district, completely eliminate terrorism and protect the lives and property of the public,” the statement concluded.
Pakistan blames the Afghan government for facilitating TTP attacks inside its territory, a charge Kabul denies. The surge in militant attacks has strained ties between Pakistan and Afghanistan, leading to deadly border clashes in October that saw dozens killed and several wounded on both sides.
