Following a suicide bombing incident that occurred over a month ago, the government has now imposed restrictions on Chinese nationals traveling within Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
They are now required to be accompanied by armored vehicles when moving around the province.
Hazara range deputy inspector general (DIG) of police Tahir Ayub Khan emphasized the importance of these safety measures, stating that it is crucial for the protection of Chinese nationals. He mentioned that traveling without armored vehicles is against the government’s directives.
The suicide bombing took place on March 26, targeting a convoy of Chinese engineers who were working on a dam project in northwest Pakistan. This attack resulted in the loss of six lives. The engineers were traveling from Islamabad to their camp at the dam construction site in Dasu, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
This incident marked the third major attack on Chinese interests within a week in Pakistan. The previous attacks targeted a Pakistan naval air base and a strategic port crucial for China’s infrastructure projects in Balochistan.
In response to the security concerns, several Chinese nationals have been advised to remain within their hotels. The police have emphasized the need to ensure the safety of Chinese individuals involved in projects outside of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
The DIG recently inspected the Suki Kinari and Balakot hydropower projects in the Malkandi area of Kaghan Valley to review security measures.
Security meetings were held with personnel, Chinese engineers, and project managers from both sites. The DIG emphasized the need for eight-foot boundary walls around residential colonies housing Chinese engineers and workers, possibly reinforced with barbed wire.
He also stressed the importance of ensuring the safety of Chinese engineers under all circumstances. The DIG took over the post following the suspension of former DIG Mohammad Ijaz Khan after the attack on Chinese officials.
