ISLAMABAD: Beijing is pushing Pakistan to allow its own security staff to provide protection to thousands of Chinese citizens working in Pakistan, following a recent attack that was seen as a major security breach.

Last month’s bombing near Karachi airport, which targeted two Chinese engineers, was the latest in a string of attacks on Beijing’s interests in Pakistan.

The attacks have angered China, which has pushed Pakistan to begin formal negotiations for a joint security management system.

On Monday, the Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said that Beijing “will continue supporting Pakistan’s counterterrorism effort[s] and socioeconomic development”.

Officials say agencies averse to proposal of bringing in ‘Chinese security’ to guard assets in Pakistan

Reuters spoke to five Pakistani security and government sources with direct knowledge of the previously unreported negotiations and demands on condition of anonymity, as the talks are sensitive, and reviewed a written proposal sent by Beijing to Islamabad.

“They (Chinese) want to bring in their own security,” said one official, who sat in on a recent meeting, adding that Pakistan had not agreed to such a step so far.

A written proposal sent to Islamabad by Beijing mentioned a clause allowing the dispatching of security agencies and military forces into each others’ territory to assist in counter terrorism missions and conduct joint strikes.

The dispatching would be done after discussions, but Pakistani agencies were averse to the proposal, one official said.

Neither Beijing nor Islamabad have confirmed the talks officially.

The source, and two other officials, said there was a consensus on setting up a joint security management system, and that Pakistan was amenable to Chinese officials sitting in on security meetings and co-ordination.

But there was no agreement on their participating in security arrangements on the ground.

The first official said Pakistan had asked China for help in improving its intelligence and surveillance capabilities instead of direct involvement.

A spokesman for China’s foreign ministry told Reuters it was not familiar with talks on a joint security scheme, but added, “China will continue to strengthen co-operation with Pakistan and make joint efforts to do its utmost to maintain the security of Chinese personnel, projects and institutions.”

Inter-Services Public Relations, the information wing of the Pakistan army, declined to comment.

The interior and planning ministries did not respond to repeated requests for comment.

In a statement last week, Pakistan’s interior ministry said both sides agreed to develop a joint strategy to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Published in Dawn, November 13th, 2024