During his meeting with Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong, Prime Minister Shehbaz expressed his heartfelt concern for the victims and provided updates on their health
By our correspondent
KARACHI: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visited the Chinese Embassy in Islamabad on Wednesday to personally condemn the recent attack on Chinese nationals in Karachi and reassure Beijing of Pakistan’s commitment to ensuring the safety of its citizens in the country. The incident occurred on Tuesday in the SITE Industrial Area of Karachi, where two Chinese nationals were injured in a shooting that has raised alarm both domestically and internationally, prompting Beijing to call for heightened security for its nationals residing in Pakistan.
During his meeting with Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong, Prime Minister Shehbaz expressed his heartfelt concern for the victims and provided updates on their health. According to medical reports from Liaquat National Hospital, one of the injured remains in critical condition, though Prime Minister Shehbaz noted that the condition of both individuals was gradually improving. Stressing that “the security of Chinese nationals is our top priority,” he reassured the Chinese ambassador of Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding Chinese citizens working on projects across the country.
Shehbaz Sharif emphasized that he was personally overseeing the investigation into the incident to guarantee a swift and thorough response. He condemned the attack as a “deplorable attempt to harm the brotherly ties between our nations,” expressing deep regret over this assault on Pakistan-China relations—a bond often described as “all-weather” and “ironclad.” His visit reflects Pakistan’s strong stance against any attempt to undermine its alliance with China, a critical partner in infrastructure, energy, and economic development projects through initiatives like the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
The Chinese ambassador expressed gratitude for the prime minister’s visit and his immediate response to the incident, conveying hope that the attackers would soon be apprehended and justice served. The incident has prompted close coordination between Pakistan’s foreign ministry, the interior ministry, and the Chinese embassy in Islamabad, as authorities work collaboratively to address security vulnerabilities and prevent such attacks in the future.
In its official statement, Pakistan’s foreign ministry reiterated its commitment to protecting Chinese nationals and ensuring the ongoing security of Chinese-led projects within Pakistan, underlining the mutual benefits and strategic importance of Pakistan-China cooperation. This incident has once again highlighted the challenges in maintaining the security of foreign nationals working in Pakistan, particularly in regions with heightened risks.
