In another violent attack targeting Chinese citizens in Pakistan, two Chinese nationals were injured in a shooting incident in Karachi on Tuesday. Local police and hospital officials confirmed the assault, intensifying concerns over the safety of Chinese nationals in the region. This incident follows a series of recent attacks on Chinese citizens in Pakistan, who have been increasingly targeted by insurgent groups.
Rising Violence Against Chinese Nationals Linked to CPEC Projects
The shooting comes on the heels of previous violent incidents. In October, a suicide bombing near Karachi airport claimed the lives of two Chinese nationals and injured ten others. The attack was claimed by the banned Balochistan Liberation Army, which opposes China’s involvement in Pakistan’s development projects. Earlier in March, a separate suicide attack killed five Chinese engineers in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Since the inception of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) a decade ago, 21 Chinese nationals have reportedly lost their lives in similar attacks.
China Urges Pakistan for Enhanced Security
In response to these incidents, the Chinese ambassador to Pakistan, Jiang Zaidong, condemned the violence and called for decisive action against anti-China terrorist groups. Speaking at a recent seminar, Ambassador Jiang emphasized that security remains the biggest challenge to the success of the CPEC initiative. He urged Pakistan to strengthen protective measures for Chinese citizens and projects, stating, “Without a safe environment, nothing can be achieved.”
With the Chinese government expressing grave concerns, the recent attacks underscore the pressing need for heightened security and vigilance to ensure the safety of foreign nationals and the continuation of critical infrastructure projects in Pakistan.