By Despite the recent terrorist attack in Karachi that claimed the lives of two Chinese nationals, the visit of Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang for the Council of Heads of Governments of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) is still on track. Sources informed The Express Tribune on Wednesday that there have been no changes to the planned visit next week.
Uncertainties arose following the attack outside Jinnah International Airport, which marked the second incident targeting Chinese nationals in Pakistan. Earlier this year, on March 26, five Chinese engineers were killed when an explosive-laden vehicle struck their bus in Besham while they were working on the Dasu Hydroelectric Power project.
The latest attack has raised concerns among both Chinese and Pakistani authorities. Sources noted that it is an embarrassing situation for Pakistan, which had pledged to ensure comprehensive security for Chinese nationals. Nevertheless, it is a relief that the Chinese Prime Minister will still visit Islamabad.
This marks the first visit of a Chinese Prime Minister to Pakistan in 11 years and comes at a crucial time as Pakistan seeks further assistance from Beijing to stabilize its economy. The visit is expected to involve discussions on several agreements to deepen cooperation between the two nations.
However, the recent Karachi attack may overshadow these discussions. China has previously expressed concerns over repeated attacks against its citizens. Following the Besham incident, a senior Chinese official visited Pakistan to emphasize that future investments would depend on improved security for Chinese nationals.
In response to the attacks, Pakistan had revisited security protocols for Chinese nationals, but the Karachi incident has raised questions about their effectiveness. It is anticipated that during his visit, the Chinese Prime Minister will advocate for establishing a joint security company to oversee the safety of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and other investments.
Meanwhile, other international delegates are proceeding with their visits. The Russian Prime Minister has confirmed participation, and India has formally notified the Pakistani foreign office about the visit of its Foreign Minister, S. Jaishankar.
Following the Karachi incident, authorities are taking no chances with the security of SCO delegates. The federal government has announced public holidays from October 14 to 16 to facilitate the smooth conduct of the SCO meeting and ensure the safe movement of delegates.
