Neither the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) nor the rhetoric of “brotherhood” can guarantee the safety of Chinese investments in the region due to Pakistan’s role as a hub for jihadist and separatist groups. A report highlighted that ignoring historical precedents could lead to severe consequences for China, including harm to its citizens, project delays, and damage to its global reputation. China is now emphasizing concrete security measures on the ground beyond mere assurances of stability.
According to Dimitra Staikou, a Greek lawyer and journalist writing for ‘EuropaWire’, China’s approach involves creating special units and joint training frameworks to ensure security. The evolving partnership with Pakistan now includes stricter performance conditions, indicating a shift from ideological alignment to a test of endurance. Recent militant attacks in Pakistan, targeting Chinese citizens and projects, have significantly compromised security and raised doubts about Pakistan’s ability to safeguard Chinese interests.
Staikou pointed out specific incidents, such as a suicide bombing in Shangla in 2024 that killed Chinese engineers and a subsequent attack near Karachi’s international airport that claimed the lives of Chinese workers. These attacks, along with previous incidents targeting Chinese interests in Balochistan, have strained the partnership. The report underlines that while official cooperation remains strong, the ground realities challenge Pakistan’s capacity to ensure the safety of Chinese projects and personnel, impacting the credibility of the partnership.
The report also highlighted the growing threat posed by ISIS-K in Pakistan, indicating a significant expansion of its operational reach beyond state control. Despite Islamabad’s assurances of counterterrorism measures, ISIS-K’s activities have extended geographically and operationally, posing risks to urban areas, cross-border flows, and critical infrastructure. The attacks on Chinese citizens in South Asia are seen as part of a broader terrorist trend that transcends organizations and borders, with Pakistan at the center of this concerning convergence.
