KARACHI: The provincial administration of Sindh held a meeting on Tuesday to review and strengthen security measures taken to protect Chinese nationals working on various projects in the province after a deadly attack at the Karachi airport killed two of them earlier this month.
The two countries jointly initiated a series of energy and infrastructure development projects under the multibillion-dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to aid Pakistan’s development. However, militants have persistently targeted Chinese nationals in different parts of the country, raising concerns about their safety and the prospects of the economic collaboration between the two nations.
A massive blast outside the Karachi airport in Sindh killed two engineers from China working in the energy sector on October 6, only a few days ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit in Islamabad attended by dozens of high-profile foreign dignitaries in the federal capital.
“The security of CPEC and non-CPEC affiliated Chinese citizens must be coordinated and effective at every level,” Sindh Interior Minister Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar, who presided over the meeting attended by law enforcement and intelligence officials, was quoted as saying in an official statement circulated after the meeting.
The minister also expressed concern over the safety of Chinese nationals working with Pakistani businesses.
“Sponsors must also be made aware of their responsibilities regarding the arrival and security of foreigners in Sindh,” he continued.
Lanjar maintained that with the formal support and cooperation of the Sindh government, the overall security for foreigners and Chinese workers affiliated with CPEC and non-CPEC projects must be improved.
Karachi has also witnessed attacks against Chinese nationals in the past.
In April 2022, a female suicide bomber killed three Chinese teachers in Karachi along with their local driver at a university, prompting the authorities in both Islamabad and Beijing to express concern about the violence targeting people from China in Pakistan.
The renewed focus on security underscores the ongoing threats faced by Chinese workers, and efforts being ramped up to prevent such incidents from jeopardizing bilateral ties and economic collaboration between the two countries.
Pakistani officials call for greater coordination on Chinese workers’ security after Karachi attack
https://arab.news/8vp4b
Pakistani officials call for greater coordination on Chinese workers’ security after Karachi attack
- Sindh government wants local sponsors of Chinese workers to ensure security of their guests
- Provincial minister promises official support to ensure security for CPEC, non-CPEC workers
Pakistan to begin first phase of Hajj 2026 trainings from today
- Training programs to be held in phases across Pakistan till February, says religion ministry
- Saudi Arabia allocated Pakistan a total quota of 179,210 pilgrims for Hajj 2026
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s religious affairs ministry has said that it will begin the first phase of mandatory Hajj 2026 training for pilgrims intending to perform the pilgrimage from today, Thursday.
The one-day Hajj training programs will be held in phases across the country at the tehsil level until February. The ministry directed intending pilgrims to bring their original identity cards and the computerized receipt of their Hajj application to attend the training sessions.
“Pilgrims should attend the one-day training program according to their scheduled date,” Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs (MoRA) said in a statement.
The ministry said training schedules are being shared through the government’s Pak Hajj 2026 mobile application as well as via SMS. It added that details of the schedule are also available on its website.
According to the ministry, training programs will be held in Abbottabad on Jan. 2; Ghotki, Thatta and Kotli on Jan. 3; and Tando Muhammad Khan and Khairpur on Jan. 4.
Hajj training sessions will be held in Rawalakot, Badin and Naushahro Feroze on Jan. 5, while pilgrims in Fateh Jang, Dadu and Tharparkar will receive the training on Jan. 6.
The ministry said training programs will be conducted in Umerkot and Larkana on Jan. 7, followed by sessions in Mirpurkhas, Shahdadkot and Mansehra on Jan. 8.
Pakistan’s religious affairs ministry has previously said these trainings will be conducted by experienced trainers and scholars using multimedia.
It said the training has been made mandatory to ensure that intending pilgrims are fully aware of Hajj rituals and administrative procedures.
Saudi Arabia has allocated Pakistan a quota of 179,210 pilgrims for Hajj 2026, of which around 118,000 seats have been reserved under the government scheme, while the remainder will be allocated to private tour operators.
Under Pakistan’s Hajj scheme, the estimated cost of the government package ranges from Rs1,150,000 to Rs1,250,000 ($4,049.93 to $4,236), subject to final agreements with service providers.
