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 praises Qatar’s ‘positive role’ on National Day, seeks deeper trade and investment ties
- Zardari says relations with Qatar are rooted in shared values, mutual respect and people-to-people contacts
- He says Pakistan sees energy, agriculture and technology as priority areas for expanding bilateral cooperation
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Thursday praised Qatar’s “positive role” at the regional and international level and called for enhanced trade and investment cooperation as the Gulf state marked its National Day, according to a statement from the presidency.
Pakistan and Qatar maintain close diplomatic, economic and security ties, underpinned by energy cooperation, labor links and growing defense engagement. Qatar hosts a large Pakistani expatriate workforce, employed mainly in construction, services, transport and security, making remittances a key pillar of the relationship.
Security ties have also expanded in recent years, with Pakistan providing military training and advisory support to Qatari forces. The two countries cooperated on security planning and personnel deployment for the 2022 FIFA World Cup hosted by Doha.
Qatar has also played a diplomatic role in the region, most recently mediating between Pakistan and Afghanistan following fierce border clashes earlier this year in which dozens of people were killed on both sides.
“Qatar’s positive role at the regional and international level is commendable,” President Asif Ali Zardari said in a message issued on the occasion of the Arab country’s National Day.
“Pakistan is keen to further expand cooperation with Qatar in trade and investment,” he added.
In his message, Zardari extended congratulations to Qatar’s Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and conveyed best wishes to the Qatari people, describing relations between the two countries as close, enduring and rooted in shared values and mutual respect.
He said Qatar had achieved significant development and progress under the Amir’s leadership and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening bilateral ties.
Zardari said Pakistan sought to deepen partnerships with Qatar in sectors including energy, agriculture and technology, while highlighting manpower cooperation and people-to-people contacts as the foundation of the relationship.
The president also expressed Islamabad’s resolve to further strengthen friendship and cooperation between the two countries, the statement said.
