Pakistan’s Role In Protecting Chinese Interests In CPEC – OpEd

The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is hailed as a milestone in the strategic partnership between China and Pakistan. This ambitious project, a key component of China’s “Belt and Road Initiative,” aims to enhance connectivity and cooperation through an extensive network of roads, railways, and pipelines. The CPEC project, with an investment of $62 billion, is poised to transform Pakistan’s economy by creating employment opportunities, improving infrastructure, and promoting regional integration. However, despite these promising prospects, the security of Chinese workers and engineers involved in CPEC projects has emerged as a significant concern, threatening the very foundation of this crucial partnership.

The safety and security of Chinese nationals working on CPEC projects in Pakistan have become a serious issue due to the persistent threat of terrorist attacks by Baloch separatists and their affiliated militant groups, particularly the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). These groups, driven by various motives, have targeted Chinese citizens, viewing them as symbols of the CPEC initiative that they oppose. The most high-profile attacks have occurred from Karachi to Gwadar, exposing the vulnerabilities in the security arrangements promised by Pakistani authorities to their Chinese counterparts.

The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), a separatist group, has been at the forefront of these attacks, demanding that China cease its involvement in CPEC and withdraw from Baluchistan. The BLA has repeatedly warned Beijing against signing new CPEC deals with Islamabad, condemning China’s role in the Gwadar port project. These threats have not only endangered Chinese lives but also shaken the confidence of Chinese investors, who now demand foolproof security measures from Pakistan.

Security analysts have noted that the increasing frequency of attacks on Chinese interests in Pakistan has damaged the perception of invulnerability that Pakistani authorities had sought to project. Beijing, as the largest foreign investor in Pakistan, now faces significant security concerns that could potentially affect its future investments in the country. While Pakistan has blamed “foreign elements” for these attacks, arguing that their primary goal is to sabotage Pakistan-China relations and the CPEC project, the damage to the confidence of Chinese stakeholders is undeniable.

These terrorist attacks have claimed precious lives and strained the relations between the two nations. The hesitancy of China to pursue new CPEC projects, as indicated by reports of limited progress during recent high-level visits, reflects the growing apprehensions within Chinese leadership. Although official statements from both countries have maintained a positive tone, the underlying concerns are palpable. During a meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed hope that Pakistan would create a “safe and stable business environment” to guarantee the safety of Chinese personnel and projects.

The Pakistani government has assured the Chinese leadership that it is taking all necessary measures to address the security challenges posed by these terrorist groups. According to Pakistani security officials, stringent measures are being implemented under a comprehensive policy aimed at eliminating the terrorists involved in attacks against Chinese citizens. Intelligence sharing between Pakistani and Chinese authorities is ongoing, reflecting the seriousness with which both nations are addressing these threats.

The complex nature of the security challenges faced by Chinese workers in Pakistan is further complicated by the involvement of various militant groups. Beyond the Baloch militants and the TTP, the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM), a group seeking to establish a separate state in China’s Muslim-majority Xinjiang province, has also been implicated in these attacks. Many ETIM militants had settled in North Waziristan in the late 1990s, where they developed close ties with Taliban elements. These relationships have persisted, enabling coordinated attacks on Chinese residents working on CPEC projects.

Pakistan’s efforts to counter these threats have included the arrest and extradition of numerous ETIM militants to China. However, despite these efforts, the attacks on Chinese citizens in Pakistan have not ceased, underscoring the need for more vigorous and comprehensive measures to dismantle the networks of terrorists involved. The persistent nature of these threats demands a sustained and multi-faceted approach that goes beyond immediate security responses.

The success of the CPEC project and, by extension, the stability of Pakistan-China relations hinges on the ability of Pakistan to address these security concerns effectively. The continuation of terrorist attacks not only jeopardizes the lives of Chinese citizens but also threatens to derail the broader objectives of CPEC. A failure to provide a secure environment for Chinese investments could lead to a decline in Chinese enthusiasm for future projects, which would have far-reaching consequences for Pakistan’s economic development and regional integration goals.