Chinese nationals will get foolproof security, says Pak

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Sunday assured China that it would provide foolproof security to Chinese nationals working at various projects, including the $60 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project, amid increasing attacks against them in recent weeks.

China’s ambassador Nong Rong met interior minister Sheikh Rashid in Rawalpindi and discussed the security provided to the Chinese, the Express Tribune newspaper reported.

Rashid told Nong that necessary measures will be taken to ensure foolproof security to the Chinese working in the country, the paper said.

He said the CPEC project will not become a “victim of any external conspiracy”. No force can become an “obstacle in the relations between Pakistan and

China”, the minister said. During the meeting, they also discussed issues of mutual interest, including bilateral ties.

The bus blast in Dasu was discussed and the two sides agreed to complete the investigation into the explosion.

At least 13 people, including nine Chinese nationals, were killed when a bus carrying engineers and workers to the site of the under-construction Dasu dam exploded on July 14. The bus fell into a deep ravine after the explosion in Pakistan’s Upper Kohistan district.

After the incident, China rushed a 15-member team of experts amid confusing signals from Pakistan. It was much later that Islamabad admitted that it was a case of bomb blast, stating that traces of an explosive substance were found at the scene. Pakistan’s security agencies last month arrested two suspects in connection with the bus explosion.