The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Government has enforced restrictions on the movement of Chinese nationals within the province, requiring them to be accompanied by armoured vehicles, as per a senior police official’s announcement.
Hazara Range Police Deputy Inspector General Tahir Ayub Khan underlined the paramount importance of Chinese nationals’ safety, stating, “As we’re adopting all possible measures for the safety of Chinese nationals, they shouldn’t travel in the province without armoured vehicles in line with the government’s directions.”
These stringent measures follow a devastating suicide bombing on March 26, targeting a convoy of Chinese engineers engaged in a dam project in northwest Pakistan. The attack claimed the lives of six individuals, marking the third significant assault on Chinese interests within Pakistan in a single week. Previous attacks targeted a Pakistan naval air base and a strategic port crucial for Chinese investments in Balochistan, highlighting escalating security concerns for Chinese projects in the region.
Media reports indicate that many Chinese nationals are now confined to their hotels amid escalating security concerns. A police directive stressed on the need to protect Chinese nationals involved in projects outside the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor or CPEC.
The Pakistan Home department has further announced that projects not employing bulletproof vehicles will face suspension until necessary safety measures are implemented.
Accompanied by District Police Officer Shafeeullah Gandapur, DIG Tahir Ayub Khan inspected security arrangements for the Suki Kinari project in the Malkandi area of Kaghan Valley. Security meetings were convened concerning hydropower projects in the Malkandi and Ghanool areas, with participants including security personnel, Chinese engineers, and project managers.
In a bid to fortify security, Tahir highlighted plans to erect eight-foot boundary walls around residential colonies housing Chinese engineers and workers, possibly reinforced with barbed wire. He highlighted the commitment of security personnel to ensure the safety of Chinese engineers at all times.
Tahir assumed his post following the suspension of former DIG Mohammad Ijaz Khan in the aftermath of the attack on Chinese officials. The recent escalation in security concerns has prompted authorities to proactively implement measures aimed at minimising risks and protecting the well-being of foreign nationals.
