This year saw an increase in terrorist attacks on the Chinese in Pakistan. In April, the TTP conducted a suicide attack on a Quetta hotel where the Chinese ambassador was staying. At least four persons were killed and scores injured. Fortunately the ambassador and other Chinese officials were out of the hotel at the time. None behind the attack could however be arrested. On 12 July a vehicle carrying two Chinese engineers was fired at by unidentified assailants on a motorcycle in Karachi. Again none of the terrorists could be identified. On 14 July a bus carrying Chinese to Dasu Hydel Project was targeted, killing 9 Chinese engineers. The government pointed a finger at the TTP, maintaining that the terrorist network enjoyed the backing of India’s RAW and Afghanistan’s NDS. None of the planners or the facilitators could be arrested and punished. On August 21, A Chinese national was injured when a suicide bomber blew himself up targeting a vehicle carrying the foreigner in Gwadar. Here again there was no clue about the planners or the handlers, with the government once again holding Indian RAW and Afghan NDS responsible.
This has led even Chinese terrorism experts to call on Pakistan to gather further evidence that can answer more questions before a conclusion is made. They have expressed hopes that Pakistan will continue the investigation based on facts and evidence to find the truth of the attack and hold the criminals accountable. During a virtual meeting with NSA Moeed Yusuf, Chinese State Councillor and Minister of Public Security Zhao Kezhi hoped that Pakistan would continue the investigation based on facts and evidence to find the truth of the attack and take those responsible to task,
Intelligence failures are costing Pakistan heavily. The work on Dasu dam, a key CPEC project, remains stopped for the last more than seven weeks despite meetings between the Wapda Chairman, Chinese ambassador and China’s Gezhouba Group. This is neither in the interest of Pakistan nor China. During his meeting with the Chinese ambassador, COAS Geb Qamar Javed Bajwa vowed to foil the sinister designs of elements trying to sabotage the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The best way is to find those who actually perpetrate or plan the crimes and bring them to law.
