ISLAMABAD: Members of the Senate on Friday visited the Chinese embassy to offer condolence over the Karachi blast in which three Chinese teachers and a Pakistani driver lost their lives.

Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed led the delegation of the Senate Defence Committee.

The delegation was received by Acting Ambassador Pang Chunxue and her senior colleagues.

Senator Hussain said the delegation was visiting the embassy with a heavy heart as this was the third act of terror against Chinese nationals in Pakistan within a year.

And that the Chinese teachers were the target was quite shameful. He said all political parties in parliament shared these sentiments as China was Pakistan’s paramount partner and strongest friend, a friendship that has widespread support from the people of Pakistan.

Senator Hussain expressed regret that “our security system has failed, both to protect the Chinese working in Pakistan or to prevent recurrence of such acts of terror.” He said a comprehensive review and rethink of such a faulty system was needed if we want CPEC to move forward successfully.

He said such a breach of security was unacceptable for a country like Pakistan whose armed forces successfully overcame an inland war against terrorism.

“We fully share your sorrow, we fully share your indignation and we fully share your concerns about this serious security lapse which if allowed to recur can result in drying up of foreign investment.”

The delegation included Senators Mushtaq Ahmed, Faisal Javed, Anwarul Haq Kakar and Dr Zarqa Suhrwardhy. Secretary DefCom retired Major Hasnain Haider was also present.

The Chinese acting ambassador thanked the senators for their gesture.

Published in Dawn, April 30th, 2022