Construction activities on two significant dam projects in Pakistan have been suspended by Chinese contractors in the aftermath of a suicide bombing that claimed the lives of five Chinese engineers and a Pakistani driver earlier this week.
The decision to halt construction comes as Chinese companies demand enhanced security measures from Pakistani authorities before work can resume at the project sites, currently hosting approximately 1,250 Chinese nationals.
According to reports, the fatal attack unfolded on Tuesday, March 26, when a suicide bomber targeted a vehicle on a mountainous road near one of the dam sites. The explosion caused the vehicle to plunge into a ravine, resulting in the tragic loss of lives.
Following the incident, the China Gezhouba Group Company suspended operations on the Dasu dam project situated in the province, while Power China halted work on the Diamer Bhasha dam, spanning two provinces. The Dasu Dam project employs roughly 750 Chinese engineers, with an additional 500 engaged in the Diamer Bhasha Dam project.
According to a senior official from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa interior department who spoke to AFP on the condition of anonymity, China Gezhouba Group Company has suspended operations on the Dasu dam in the province since Wednesday. Additionally, Power China has ceased work on the Diamer Bhasha dam, which spans two provinces.
“The companies have requested new security plans from the government,” the official disclosed.
He further elaborated, stating, “Approximately 750 Chinese engineers are involved in the Dasu Dam project, with an additional 500 employed on the Diamer Bhasha Dam.”
Although China has yet to issue an official statement, it reportedly urged Pakistan to prioritise the safety of its nationals and infrastructure projects within the country.
In the wake of the attack, the Chinese embassy in Islamabad engaged in extensive diplomatic discussions, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and other senior officials offering condolences.
Meanwhile, concerns have arisen among Pakistanis regarding the distribution of job opportunities and wealth from Chinese investment projects, emphasising the need for equitable benefits from such collaborations.
Notably, Beijing stands as Islamabad’s closest regional ally, readily extending financial assistance to support its frequently struggling neighbour.
However, Pakistanis have persistently voiced grievances over the perceived lack of equitable distribution of jobs and wealth generated by these projects.
The recent attack prompted a flurry of diplomatic engagements at the Chinese embassy in Islamabad, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, along with the foreign and interior ministers, swiftly offering condolences.
While China’s foreign ministry reaffirmed the countries’ bond as “iron-clad friends,” it urged Pakistan to “implement effective measures to ensure the safety and security of Chinese nationals, projects, and institutions.”
The assault occurred shortly after militants attempted to breach the offices of the Gwadar deepwater port in the southwest, a pivotal component of Chinese investment in Pakistan.
In 2019, gunmen raided a luxury hotel in Balochistan province, overlooking the flagship Chinese-backed deepwater seaport in Gwadar, providing strategic access to the Arabian Sea, resulting in the deaths of at least eight individuals.
