Afghanistan Times
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KABUL — The safety of Chinese nationals working on major development projects in Pakistan is increasingly jeopardized as separatist militants ramp up attacks, perceiving their presence as a significant threat to local resources and influence.
In a recent incident, two Chinese workers were killed in a bombing near Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport late Sunday night. The attack, which targeted a van carrying Chinese nationals, occurred just days before the high-profile Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit, further highlighting rising tensions. The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), a separatist group operating in Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province, claimed responsibility for the bombing, using a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) aimed at what they described as a “high-level convoy of Chinese engineers and investors.”
Security experts are alarmed by the pattern of attacks on Chinese interests, with this incident marking one of the most significant assaults since 2018. Analyst Ihsanullah Tipu Mehsud emphasized the systematic targeting of Chinese nationals, referencing previous attacks, including the November 2018 assault on the Chinese consulate in Karachi and the July 2021 Dasu suicide bombing that claimed nine lives. These events illustrate a concerted effort by Baloch separatists and factions of the Pakistani Taliban to undermine Chinese investments in the region.
“The BLA views the Chinese presence as a direct challenge to their influence and resources in Balochistan,” Mehsud stated. “They believe that Chinese support strengthens the Pakistani government’s hold over the region, threatening their objectives.”
The risks faced by Chinese workers have heightened scrutiny of Pakistan’s ability to protect its foreign partners. Abdullah Khan, a senior defense analyst, called the recent attacks indicative of a significant security and intelligence failure, noting that many assaults target moving vehicles carrying workers. “This indicates a clear security breach,” he said.
The BLA’s ongoing insurgency aims for the independence of Balochistan, an area rich in resources and strategically located near Afghanistan and Iran. The group specifically targets Chinese investments, particularly in the Gwadar port, accusing Beijing of colluding with Islamabad to exploit the province’s resources.
These escalating security concerns are undermining China’s ambitious investment plans, particularly under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a key component of President Xi Jinping’s Belt and Road Initiative. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attacks, asserting they are designed to thwart development projects integral to CPEC, and are attempts to drive a wedge between Pakistan and China.
Despite these threats, analysts believe that China remains committed to its projects in Pakistan, with Khan noting that Beijing is well aware of the conflict zone they are entering. “When CPEC was initiated in 2015, Pakistan was experiencing a surge in terrorism, yet China continued its investment,” he added.
As tensions escalate, the future of Chinese investment and the safety of its nationals in Pakistan and Afghanistan remain uncertain, prompting urgent calls for enhanced security measures to safeguard foreign workers in this volatile region.
