Security for Chinese in Pakistan – The Margins are Narrowing Down and Down- by Tazeen Akhtar

Tazeen Akhtar / Islamabad

China Pakistan friendship is time tested, unbreakable, higher than Himalayas, deeper than oceans, stronger than iron and sweater than honey,all-weather etc BUT security is security because if you have life you have everything. Chinese nationals have been hit continuously in Pakistan. That is not about KP or Balochistan only as Karachi is also in the list. We can not pass through it only terming it international agencies’ operations inside Pakistan to fail CPEC and destroy China Pak Friendship.

China is taking everything extra serious since the Dassu/Besham incident took place.The security of Chinese nationals is in the top of the agenda being discussed in all Pak China interactions where ever they are held at what ever level. Therefore the margin for Pakistan on the attacks is narrowing rapidly.

In the same connection, the interior ministers of both countries met in New York, USA on 27 June 2024 at the Permanent Mission of China to UN. The interior ministers of both countries were there to attend the 4th United Nations Chiefs of Police Summit (UNCOPS).

It is true that Pakistan is facing security challenges in KP and Balochistan from internal and external saboteurs including India and TTP in Afghanistan since long and the biggest as well as the most lucrative target for these elements are Chinese nationals because the attack on Chinese in Pakistan serves multi purposes , damage the confidence, panic the engineers and workers , delaying the completion of CPEC, making headlines in and out of Pakistan, above all raising questions on the capabilitiy of Pakistani security forces in providing protection to the Chinese.

Negligence in Chinese Nationals Case – Action Against KP Officials is not Enough – What are the Imperatives to Improve the Security ? by Tazeen Akhtar

The Chinese who on many times of difficult situations came to rescue Pakistan are now looking at Pakistan to rescue their nationals from the threats of life. Pakistan has to do it in a hostile landscape in two of her provinces where her own military personnel even are at the hit list of the terrorists. One can trace a complete chronology of martyrdom of Pakistani soldiers in these two provinces. No weak goes without any attack and martyrdom of soldiers , officers even inside and on the land of Pakistan. If military personnel is not safe there, what is the state of the commoners?

Pakistan can not survive the situationer after every attack with bringing excuses and shifting the responsibility to non state actors only. Matter of fact is, Pakistan herself has very well equipped, well trained, well in number and volume, well in weapons, perfect in personnel system of security. Therefore, Pakistan is supposed to stop the consecutive phenomenon of cutting a sorry figure after every attack.

Unfortunately, despite having all apparatus of security, Pakistan can not stop the terrorist attacks in two provinces. Here one can see and analyze the reasons for that failure. It is lack of capacity or lack of will? Or it has political reasons? Managerial ability, experience deficit? In whose hands is the Command and control?

Mr. Mohsin Naqvi, the interior minister is the head of this system and apparatus. He was a journalist basically who by chance or by design , succeeded in establishment of his own TV Channels in Lahore. That is his only expertise. It was only thanks to his links that he was hand picked first as CM of the largest province of Pakistan and later as the Interior Minister of a country that is facing multi dimensional threats of security from inside and outside for last decades.

Pakistani Minister, Mr.Mohsin Naqvi discussed with  counterpart  Qi Yanjun, the cooperation between law enforcement agencies and China’s support in training and modern technology. China side agreed to provide full cooperation in training and capacity building of Pakistani law enforcement agencies. It is wise approach on both sides to enhance the cooperation and it can give good results in the future.

China, Iran & Afghanistan are Supposed to Join Hands with Pakistan for Elimination of Terrorists – Tazeen Akhtar

Pakistan has established Special Protection Unit (SPU) in Islamabad for the security of foreign nationals, particularly Chinese citizens. Mr. Qi Yanjun assured  full cooperation in the training and other related matters of the SPU as well. Here it is worth mentioning that Pakistan raised a full fledged Division of military for the security of CPEC including the Chinese nationals no doubt when the Game Changer project was started a decade ago.

If that division still exists, the establishment of SPU in addition give rise to two questions ; 1- Pakistan is not satisfied with the performance of that division. 2- What will be the position of Pakistan even if SPU failed to bring the result?

Minister Naqvi  briefed on the progress made in the Dassu incident. Qi Yanjun expressed satisfaction over the progress in the case and praised Pakistani agencies for their hard work and professional approach in tracing the unfortunate incident.

China is hosting Global Security Forum in September this year. Mr. Qi Yanjun invited Pakistani counterpart to participate in the Forum.An advisory group from the Chinese Ministry of Public Security will visit Pakistan soon.

Mohsin Naqvi highlighted that Foolproof security arrangements have been made for the Chinese citizens. Here another aspect of the matter is , there are three types of Chinese living in Pakistan; 1- Who are here through governments purposes, the workers on CPEC, diplomats etc 2- Who are employees of investor companies and are living in Pakistan with agreements  3-Who are here on their own, Private businessmen, workers of companies.

Lets not make Pakistan, Dreadful Land for Foreigners – by – Tazeen Akhtar

More or less 1200 companies are working in Pakistan. Many Chinese nationals are living in the cities other than Islamabad, Lahore in their private capacity , in the Mohallahs , as commoners , renting the houses from local owners. They are thousands in number and they are found walking, shopping in the streets without any security. This aspect should also be seen by our security officials.

It is not possible that China would not be monitoring the other incidents and happenings in Pakistan that directly or indirectly influence / affect the security matters in general , for all , nationals or internationals , Chinese or other foreigners.

Political instability, Parliamentarians always fighting in the session, Judges’ letters, Azad Kashmir riots, disappointed public crushed with highly inflated and unfair utility bills, Yes! it is about the gov or establishment lost the public support and trust,  Anti Islamabad and Anti Rawalpindi government in KP province that is most hit by the terrorists are writing on the wall.

Indian Involvement in Terrorism in Pakistan – USA, the West & Middle East Need More than Canada to Believe ? Tazeen Akhtar

A better approach in the given situation will be ; 1-Not to make tall claims of fool proof security. 2- Clean the home and especially the backyard. 3- Stop anti political campaigns at the establishment level. 4- Improve the relations with Kabul Regime. 5- China Afghanistan are now at diplomatic relations, seek help from China to influence Kabul for action against TTP there.

Be clear what is Azm e Estehkam (Resolve for Stability)? Operation? Vision? Campaign? Political? Whatever and then create consensus at the same level what was seen in the meeting of visiting Chinese Minister Mr. Liu Jianchao with all political parties of Pakistan. No political party in KP is ready to accept this new venture Azm e Estehkam. It has further added to already prevailing confusion in the country.

Above all, last but not the least, when in service Lt Gen can be posted at National Database and Registration Authority , why not another can be appointed as the head of civil security set up in whatever shape and name is possible, Pakistan is expert in creating seats when it is necessary. Why the internal security command has been left with a totally non experienced person as in-charge?

It is not legal , but what is more important than the security of the citizens and foreigners? And what legalities have been observed for posting the incumbent head of civil security by the way?

China-Pakistani Political Parties Including Opposition Express Consensus on CPEC & Relations with China