Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has taken a strong stance against negligence in the wake of a devastating suicide bombing that claimed the lives of five Chinese engineers at a major dam site in March. Sharif has ordered the punishment of at least five senior police officials for failing to fulfill their duties and ensure the security of Chinese nationals working on the project.
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar announced that a committee appointed by the Prime Minister identified a regional official, three district officials, and the director of security at the Dasu dam project as being responsible for the security lapse. Tarar emphasized that the Prime Minister himself will be closely monitoring the security of Chinese citizens and that those found negligent will be dealt with as an example.
The attack at the dam site in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province not only resulted in the tragic loss of lives but also led to the suspension of work on two dam projects by Power China and the China Gezhouba Company. Operations have since resumed at Diamer Bhasha, but remain closed at Dasu.
In response to the bombing, Pakistani police have detained over 12 individuals, including Afghan nationals, in connection with the attack. The incident has raised concerns about the safety of Chinese workers in Pakistan, as hundreds are employed at various construction sites across the country.
The relationship between China and Pakistan is crucial, with Beijing being Islamabad’s closest regional ally and a major investor in infrastructure projects. However, Pakistan has raised concerns about the distribution of benefits from these projects. The recent attack underscores the challenges faced by both countries in ensuring the safety and security of Chinese workers in Pakistan.