Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has taken decisive action against four senior police officials for their perceived negligence in the wake of an inquiry report on the suicide attack that claimed the lives of five Chinese engineers and their Pakistani driver. The incident occurred last Tuesday when a vehicle-borne suicide bomber targeted the convoy of Chinese engineers in the Besham area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar disclosed that Prime Minister Sharif instructed disciplinary measures against senior officials of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa following the submission of the inquiry committee’s report. The report highlighted security lapses and recommended action against key personnel involved in ensuring security protocols.
Tarar emphasized Sharif’s commitment to ensuring the safety of Chinese nationals working on various projects in Pakistan, stating, “We want peace in the region, but our desire should not be misconstrued as a weakness. We are taking the matter of the security of the Chinese very seriously.” Sharif himself is closely monitoring the security arrangements for Chinese projects and personnel.
In a separate directive issued on Friday, Sharif called upon all Pakistani security agencies to enforce robust security measures for Chinese nationals engaged in projects across the country. He announced his intention to personally oversee meetings pertaining to national security, particularly the safety of Chinese citizens.
The attack has drawn concern from China, which has demanded assurances regarding the safety of its nationals working in Pakistan. Thousands of Chinese workers are involved in various projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, highlighting the strategic partnership between the two nations and the imperative of ensuring the security of personnel involved in these ventures.
