Suspension of Chinese Hydro-Electric Project
Following a lethal suicide attack on a major Chinese Hydro-Electric project in Pakistan, on March 26th that resulted in the tragic death of five Chinese engineers working on The Dasu Hydro-electric project located in Khyber Pakhtunwa province of Pakistan, while they were enroute to their worksite.
According to a report by AFP, Chinese corporation responsible for the construction – China Gezhouba Group Company & Power Construction Corporation of China (PCCP) announced the suspension of all on site work in Dasu dam and Diamer Bhasa Dam respectively.
The attack occurred on Tuesday, when an explosive laden vehicle detonated upon collision with the bus on Karakoram Highway, carrying a group of five Chinese engineers enroute to their work site. All the six individuals onboard, including the driver of the vehicle died after their vehicle was sent tumbling down a cliff following the blast. The attack comes as the second suicide attack witnessed by the region, where members related to a Chinese investment project have been attacked since 2021.
Chinese foreign ministry has condemned the incident, calling for better security arrangements on Islamabad’s side, ensuring the protection of Chinese Institutions, nationals and projects in the country.
Following a visit to the Chinese embassy in Islamabad on Tuesday, PAK PM Shehbaz Sharif spoke with Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong over the fresh security concerns that arose over the recent attack agreeing that security threats were higher than ever now for business to be carried on as usual, and reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring the safety of Chinese nationals employed in the country.
No dent to be caused by the incident on Beijing-Islamabad’s cordial relations
As part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a multi-billion dollar bid to improve economic connectivity and enhancing co-operation and connectivity between the nations, Chinese nationals are present in the nation for refinement of the country’s infrastructure facilities, while many see them just as markers of foreign influence.
According to official reports, there are over 1250 Chinese engineers employed in Pakistan with nearly 750 Chinese engineers employed in the Hydro-Electric Project in the Khyber Pakhtunwa region alone. Under China’s Belt and Road investment scheme, Beijing has invested billions in infrastructure projects in Pakistan.
The incident has sparked outrage from nearly 2,000 workers who are threatened with unemployment, despite assurances by Corporation officials that they will continue to receive half of wages until they are recalled, as per international labour laws.
One of the many attacks over the years
The attack is the second attack of its kind since 2021, when a bus carrying Chinese nationals, fell down a cliff following a vehicular suicide attack near the same Dasu Dam area of Khyber Pakhtunwa province, killing nine Chinese citizens and four Pakistanis, injuring nearly 28 more.
The incident on Tuesday, 26th march marks the third such attack in recent weeks. On Monday night, a naval airbase in Turbat city, South Balochistan was attacked by terrorists. In the ensuing gunfire one soldier of paramilitary forces and all five assailants were killed.
While just last week, port city of Gwadar, Balochistan, the most important junction of $62bn dollar CPEC project was attacked by a terrorist outfit, killing eight assailants and two soldiers of the Pakistan Army. The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), an armed militia group responsible for many attacks on Chinese nationals and Pakistani interests in the region.
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