PM to review security of Chinese workers

Move assumes extra urgency in view of potential threats to CPEC, joint ventures

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said he would review security arrangements for Chinese nationals working in the country after the Eid Al Fitr holidays in the wake of the suicide attack in Karachi that claimed the lives of three Chinese, a media report said on Monday.

Shehbaz would assess all mechanisms devised for ensuring security of Chinese nationals. The security plan would be presented to the Prime Minister in the first week after Eid in view of potential threats being faced by the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and other joint ventures between the two countries, The Express Tribune reported, citing sources.

After the deadly blast, the government last week promised to provide security to Chinese projects and other institutions to boost bilateral friendship.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry’s spokesperson Wang Wenbin had earlier affirmed that Pakistan had assured of a probe into the Karachi suicide attack.

Wenbin added that Pakistan has sworn to maintain the China-Pakistan cooperation and not let any force undermine it, Geo News reported.

“We believe that the Pakistani side will earnestly take robust measures to ensure that China-Pakistan cooperation moves ahead in a safe and smooth manner,” said the spokesperson.

Further, Wenbin also mentioned that both the countries have the capability and resolve to stop the terrorism, Geo News reported.

The spokesperson reiterated that the two nations would make the terrorists “pay the price” for their crimes.

We believe that the Pakistani side will earnestly take robust measures to ensure that China-Pakistan cooperation moves ahead in a safe and smooth manner.”

Wang Wenbin | Chinese Foreign Ministry’s spokesperson

Embassy visit

Prime Minister Shebaz Sharif visited the Chinese Embassy in Islamabad and conveyed his heartfelt condolences to families of victims of the attack. He further assured that an indepth investigation would be held into the incident and the perpetrators would be subjected to the strictest punishment, local media reported.

A concerted search operation has already been launched by local authorities in Sindh and Karachi.