preface
In the Pakistani night, a sudden explosion shattered the tranquility of Karachi. The laughter and laughter of the Chinese workers came to an abrupt halt and were replaced by the shrill sound of sirens and cries one after another.
Who would do this to the unarmed builders? Why are Chinese citizens targeted? Just when the international community was shocked, the Chinese government acted quickly, and a cross-border pursuit began.
A sudden tragedy
Under the night sky of Karachi, Pakistan, a sudden tragedy shatters the silence. On the evening of October 6, at about 11 p.m. local time, a motorcade of a Chinese-funded company was hit by a shocking terrorist attack as it drove near the airport.
The attack not only caused casualties, but also a serious challenge to China-Pakistan economic cooperation projects. The incident took place in the city of Karachi, Pakistan's largest city, which is usually bustling and lively, but at this moment it has become a stage for terrorists to act recklessly.
The convoy may have been on a daily work trip, but it was unexpectedly beset with such a disaster. The severity of this attack is self-evident, it not only threatens the lives of Chinese citizens in Pakistan, but also may hinder the progress of the CPEC project.
According to the Chinese Embassy in Pakistan, the attack killed two Chinese personnel, injured one Chinese personnel, and several Pakistani casualties. Behind every number is a fresh life, and it is the pain of a family.
After the incident, the scene fell into chaos for a while. The site of the explosion was reportedly located near the intersection leading to the airport, with thick smoke rising and sirens piercing the night sky. A preliminary investigation by the Sindh Ministry of Home Affairs concluded that the attack was triggered by an improvised explosive device.
As the investigation deepened, more details gradually emerged. The Balochistan Liberation Army (ELA), a terrorist group that has long been operating in Pakistan and was banned by the Pakistani government in 2006 and listed as a terrorist organization by the United States in 2019, claimed responsibility for the attack.
In the face of such a serious terrorist attack, we can't help but ask: why are Chinese companies being targeted by terrorists? What impact will this incident have on China-Pakistan relations and cooperation projects?
China reacted quickly
In the face of this sudden incident, China's response can be described as swift and resolute. The Chinese Embassy in Pakistan immediately activated the emergency response mechanism, demonstrating its efficient crisis handling capabilities.
The Embassy not only strongly condemned this terrorist act, but also expressed its deep condolences to the victims and expressed its sincere condolences to the injured and their relatives. This kind of humanistic care reflects the temperature of China's diplomacy.
At the same time, the Chinese Embassy in Pakistan made clear and solemn demands to the Pakistani side. First of all, he asked the Pakistani side to make every effort to treat the wounded, showing respect for life. Second, it calls for a thorough investigation of the attack and severe punishment of the perpetrators, demonstrating China's determination to safeguard the rights and interests of its citizens.
Finally, the call for the Pakistani side to take concrete and effective measures to ensure the safety of Chinese citizens, institutions and projects in Pakistan goes to the heart of the issue and demonstrates China's foresight.
In the face of China's solemn representations, Pakistan's response was equally swift and forceful. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Shehbaz ·Sharif posted on social media not only expressing his condolences for the victims, but also strongly condemning the attack.
He promised an urgent investigation and vowed to bring the killers to justice. This kind of high-level statement shows the importance that Pakistan attaches to this matter. Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs was also quick to issue a statement reaffirming its strong commitment to the security of Chinese citizens, projects, and institutions in Pakistan.
They said that they are in close contact with the Chinese Embassy to coordinate and cooperate. This positive attitude has undoubtedly injected a stabilizer into the relations between the two countries. However, in the face of a terrorist attack of this magnitude, are words of promise sufficient?
How will Pakistan implement these commitments, and what concrete measures will it take to ensure the safety of Chinese citizens and projects? The answers to these questions will have a direct impact on the future direction of cooperation between China and Pakistan.
The original article was published in National Business Daily 2024-10-07 "About" the latest statement of the Prime Minister of Pakistan! The terrorist attack on the Chinese company's convoy has caused 2 Chinese personnel to be killed and 1 injured"
Chinese-funded projects have been repeatedly attacked
As the investigation deepened, a notorious terrorist organization surfaced - the "Baloch Liberation Army". The name of this organization, like an ominous symbol, has long plagued peace and stability in Pakistan.
Founded in 2000, the Baloch Liberation Army (LA) has carried out frequent terrorist attacks against security forces and civilians in Pakistan under the guise of pursuing Balochistan independence. In 2006, the Pakistani government took a decisive step and announced the banning of the organization.
However, this only dispelled the gloom on the surface, and underground activity was still rampant. In 2019, the United States State Department listed it as a terrorist organization, further highlighting its danger.
In April, the group broke its record for atrocities in a road attack in the Nushki district of Balochistan province, killing at least 11 people and injuring four.
Unfortunately, the attack on the convoy of Port Qasim Power Generation Company Limited is not an isolated case. In recent years, Chinese-funded projects in Pakistan have been repeatedly attacked by terrorists.
In April 2022, a university shuttle bus was attacked on campus, resulting in the death and injury of several Chinese teachers. In March this year, a vehicle for the Dasu Hydropower Project built by a Chinese company was attacked on the way, killing five Chinese personnel and one Pakistani personnel.
These incidents are strikingly similar: they all targeted Chinese-funded projects or Chinese nationals, both took place in Pakistan, and both caused casualties and property damage.
More importantly, these attacks not only threaten the lives of Chinese citizens in Pakistan, but also cast a shadow over China-Pakistan economic cooperation.
In the face of these successive terrorist attacks, we can't help but ask: why have Chinese-funded projects become key targets for terrorists?
What are the shortcomings of the Pakistani government in protecting the safety of foreign investors? How can China and Pakistan work together to address these security challenges and ensure the smooth progress of major cooperation projects such as the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor?
The original article was published in Shangguan News 2024-10-07"About "Who did the terrorist attack on a Chinese enterprise convoy in Pakistan"
Port Qasim Project: The epitome of China-Pakistan cooperation
The Port Qasim coal-fired power plant project is like a shining pearl embedded in the grand blueprint of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. As one of the first energy projects under the CPEC, it broke ground in 2015 and was commissioned just two years later.
This project, invested and constructed by PowerChina, is not only the flagship project of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, but also the largest overseas investment project of PowerChina Group, and is known as Pakistan's "No. 1 Project".
The impact of this modern power plant is far greater than you think. It is responsible for supplying electricity to more than 4 million homes in Pakistan and generating up to 9 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually. What is even more remarkable is that the Qasim power station has become the green power station with the largest power generation, the highest load factor and the lowest electricity price in Pakistan for two consecutive years.
It not only alleviates the local power shortage, but also optimizes the energy structure, lowers the electricity price, and injects strong impetus into Pakistan's economic and social development.
However, in this fertile and fruitful land, security challenges remain like a haze. The successive terrorist attacks in recent years have undoubtedly cast a shadow over China-Pakistan cooperation.
These challenges not only threaten the personal safety of project participants, but also may affect investment confidence and hinder the implementation of more collaborative projects.
In the face of these challenges, strengthening security measures has become a top priority. Possible directions include strengthening security forces around the project, introducing advanced security technology, strengthening intelligence sharing and operational coordination between China and Brazil in the field of counterterrorism, and improving the security awareness and response capabilities of Chinese personnel.
epilogue
At a time when opportunities and challenges coexist, we can't help but ask: how to effectively respond to security threats while promoting economic cooperation? Can China and Pakistan find a balance that does not affect the progress of the project while maximizing the safety of personnel?
How will China-Pakistan cooperation open up a new chapter in this complex environment in the future?
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