Hell-bent on Chinese target in Pakistan; Why

Pakistan on Tuesday arrested a “terrorist” affiliated with the banned Sindh Revolution Army (SRA) before carrying out bomb attacks on two Chinese targets in the city of Karachi.

The Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) of the police identified the arrested “terrorist” as Mumtaz Ali, who during investigation disclosed crucial information that resulted in recovering of an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) and a remote-controlled bomb, both intended for use in acts of terrorism.

CTD in a statement said that Ali disclosed that he had received instructions from SRA commander Asghar Shah, also known as Sajjad Shah, to target two locations in Karachi.

The first target was the China Town Restaurant in Clifton, while the second target was the CPEC Ibrahim Hyderi project, where Chinese workers were employed, according to the statement, where Ali’s was assigned to carry out attacks against these targets.

Ali was arrested as he was heading toward the China Town Restaurant with a fully prepared remote-controlled IED bomb concealed in a black travel bag.

Police said they arrested Ali and also successfully recovered the bomb, and the CTD has registered a case against the terrorist under anti-terrorism and explosive acts.

Investigation will continue to find more suspects involved in such a target.

Political instability embolden “terrorists” to carry attacks

The current political crisis in Pakistan can create more space for the “terrorists” to carry attacks on specific targets, especially the Chinese. It is crystal clear that China has been engaged in several development projects inside Pakistan, where many groups including SRA are against Beijing’s involvement.

“(SRA) is an alleged separatist group from Sindh and seems in links with fellow Baluch freedom fighters,” Shamim Shaid, a Pakistan political expert told Harici.

Pakistani investigators examine the site of the explosion, targeting Chinese teachers in Karachi, Pakistan, on April 26, 2022.

He furthered, “In fact, Pakistan as a result of its ill planned internal and external policies is facing the worst kind of sense of deprivation in smaller provinces like Balochistan, Singh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and even in Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir.”

Though depressed from Sindh and Balochistan are active but in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, GB and Azad Kashmir the resistance or opposition is kept under pressure by army establishment and spy agencies through its loyal hardliners and feudal, according to Shaid.

He further went on saying that at the moment Pakistan is surrounded by a stock of issues especially political crises, economic and security problems and this will give upper hand to the “terrorists” to carry attacks against specific targets, especially the Chinese.

Six security personnel killed, one disappeared

At least six security personnel were killed and one disappeared when unknown militants attacked a plant of foreign oil and gas exploration company in Southern Hangu district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the early hours of Tuesday.

The unknown militants attacked the MOLE company site/plant situated at Manji Khel area of Hangu, adjacent to Thall area. Occupants of Plant have made their best in resistance but finally six of them killed, based on local officials.

Irfan Khan Deputy Superintendent Police confirmed the incident, saying four killed were associated with Frontier Constabulary whereas two were on security duty with the Foreign Oil Company MOLE. Later in official correspondence, one personnel was found missing.

A Spokesperson of MOLE Company has also confirmed the attack, saying, “our management is in contact with civil and police administration.”

No arrest has been made so far in relation to the attack, but the police said the security has been tightened all over the area.

Sites/plants of all foreign oil and exploration companies in several southern districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa including North Waziristan are under tremendous threats of militants from the last several years.

Pakistan boosts up security for Chinese nationals

The arrest of Mumtaz Ali suspected SRA “terrorist” came when early this month, Pakistan assured China that Islamabad will boost security for all Chinese nationals working on multi-billion dollar projects across the country.

During a meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang on 5th of May, Pakistan’s President Arif Alvi pledged more security for Chinese workers. The discussion was held ahead of a mini-summit in Islamabad, during which Pakistan’s foreign minister, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, will host Qin and also Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi.

Visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang meets with Pakistani President Arif Alvi, in Islamabad, May 5, 2023.

China has been demanding more security for its nationals working in Pakistan. In 2021 a suicide bomber killed nine Chinese and four Pakistanis, while in April 2022, a Pakistan separatist group Baloch Liberation Army warned of more violent attacks on Chinese targets days after a suicide bomber killed three Chinese teachers. One Pakistan driver was also killed in the attack near the gate of the Confucius Institute at the University of Karachi.

In April 2021, a suicide bomber attacked a hotel hosting the Chinese ambassador in Quetta, in which four were killed and dozens more received injuries. The ambassador escaped unhurt in the attack.

Insecurity undermines CPEC

It’s worth mentioning that China’s investments in Pakistan have grown, particularly after the creation of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), but security now stands as a big obstacle that possibly undermines these projects.

Pakistan has to improve its security as CPEC includes a multitude of mega projects such as road construction, power plants and agriculture as it is considered as a lifeline for Pakistan’s cash-strapped government that currently has been going through one of the worst economic crises.

CPEC is part of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a global endeavor aimed at reconstituting the Silk Road and linking China to all corners of Asia, and Pakistan is a key player in the project.