In Pakistan, China’s reported hesitation to invest in new projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) stems mainly from concerns about the security of its citizens and assets.
This hesitation seems to have forced the Pakistani government to take action, as the country recently approved a revitalised national counter-terrorism campaign known as ‘Operation Azm-e-Istehkam’.
According to a recent editorial in Dawn, the move underlines the Shehbaz Sharif government’s recognition of the importance of addressing the security concerns of China, especially at a time when attracting foreign investment is critical for the economic development of Pakistan.
In Lahore, speaking at a press conference, Defence Minister of Pakistan Khawaja Asif clarified that the main focus of operations under ‘Azm-e-Istehkam’ will be in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) and Balochistan. In the coming days, Asif mentioned that a comprehensive plan detailing the framework for these operations will be announced.
Chinese citizens attacked!
Within Pakistani territory, Chinese citizens, workers, or projects have been targeted by violence or security threats. These incidents have raised concerns about the safety and security of Chinese nationals and investments, mainly under projects like the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). For bilateral relations between China and Pakistan, such attacks can have significant implications.
However, army actions led by Pakistan frequently face allegations of human rights violations. These involve accusations of unreasonable use of force, disappearances, random arrests, and mistreatment of civilians in battle zones such as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, and in places affected by insurgency.
These allegations are usually reported by human rights institutions and international observers. This has increased worries about the protection of civil liberties and commitment to international humanitarian law. Such reports can weaken the relations of Pakistan with the international community.