Attack on Chinese workers: Pakistan, China to develop joint security strategy

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and China agreed on Thursday to develop a joint security strategy, following an incident where two Chinese nationals suffered gunshot wounds in an attack by a security guard at a factory in Karachi, an official statement said.

The understanding came when Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met with Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong to discuss the situation and Pakistan’s response to the rising security risks faced by Chinese nationals.

“We fully agree with China’s vision of integrating development and security,” Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi was quoted as saying in a statement released by his office after the meeting.

“The safety and security of Chinese citizens working on different projects in the country, including those related to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was a top priority for the government of Pakistan and all those involved in acts of terrorism against the neighbouring country’s citizens would be brought to justice,” said the Interior Minister.

The minister expressed his shock over the incident in which two Chinese were injured due to firing by a guard in Karachi. He expressed his sympathies with the families of those injured and informed the envoy of the progress made in an investigation into the incident so far. He also prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.

Pakistan and China, he went on to say, are time-tested friends. “The government is taking steps to increase the security of the Chinese nationals so that they could work in a safe and secure environment,” Naqvi said. The interior ministry statement informed that the two officials “agreed to develop a joint strategy to prevent such incidents in the future.”

Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador Jiang also underscored the need for a stable environment for ongoing bilateral cooperation and expressed his country’s readiness to strengthen bilateral security ties.

“China is ready to enhance bilateral security cooperation and build the capacities of Pakistani institutions,” he said.

The envoy said that due to joint efforts Pakistan- China friendship was strengthening by the day.

“China is ready to increase cooperation between the two countries in security and enhance the capacity of Pakistan’s law-enforcement agencies,” the Ambassador said.

Zaidong also thanked Naqvi for making the best arrangements during the Chinese prime minister’s visit to Pakistan.

He also inquired from the minister about the health of President Asif Ali Zardari.

Secretary Interior and senior officials of the Chinese embassy were also present at the meeting.