Islamabad, 26 April 2022 (TDI): The Prime Minister of Pakistan, Shahbaz Sharif, visited the Chinese Embassy In Islamabad and met the Chinese Charge d’Affaires Pang Chunxue today.
The Prime Minister expressed his grief over the death of the Chinese killed in the van blast at Karachi University. He also wrote a special message of condolence for the Chinese President, Xi Jinping.
According to the Prime Minister, the entire Pakistani nation is in shock and grief over the brutal attack on its ‘Iron Brothers’. He said that the entire country of Pakistan extends its heartfelt sympathies and condolences to the Government, people, and the families of the victims.
Likewise, the Prime Minister condemned the terrorist attack in strong words and said he was determined to eradicate terrorism and terrorists in all forms from the soil of Pakistan.
He further promised that the government will investigate the incident properly and will make an example out of the culprits.
The Prime Minister further revealed that Interior Minister, Rana Sanaullah has been directed to reach Karachi tomorrow.
He said that the government would not rest until the culprits are arrested and punished. He said that those who took the lives of Chinese people will be hanged.
Speaking of the relations between the two countries, Sharif said that the attack on the strong friendship that exists between Pakistan and China is unbearable. He added that bilateral relations will not be affected.
Moreover, all arrangements will be made for the repatriation of dead bodies and the return of the injured.
Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has ordered to increase the security of Chinese residents and institutions in Pakistan and to make it foolproof.
He promised that he would spare no effort to bring criminals to justice. And he also recorded his impressions in the condolence book
Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif was accompanied by Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Information Minister Maryam Aurangzeb, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar, and Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah.
Earlier today, the Prime Minister also expressed his condolences on Twitter
I am deeply grieved on the loss of precious lives including of our Chinese friends in the heinous attack in Karachi today. My heartfelt condolences go to the bereaved families. I strongly condemn this cowardly act of terrorism. The perpetrators will surely be brought to justice.
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) April 26, 2022
Previously, on Monday, Pang Chunxue called on the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Pakistan, Hina Rabbani Khar, in Islamabad and the two discussed cooperation on CPEC.
Suicide blast on Chinese Nationals:
Four people, including three Chinese nationals, were killed today while others sustained injuries in a Van explosion. The explosion took place at the University of Karachi near the Confucius Institute — a Chinese language teaching center. The deceased Chinese nationals have been identified as the director of the Confucius Institute Huang Guiping, Ding Mupeng, Chen Sai, and their Pakistani driver, Khalid.
A separatist group has also claimed responsibility for the attack. Terrorists, after surveillance, targeted the vehicle carrying the foreigners. According to the Counter-Terrorism Department, there was a suicide blast wherein a burqa-clad woman was seen in the CCTV footage.
History of attacks on Chinese Nationals:
Attacks on Chinese Nationals have become regular incidences. However, due to effective measurements of the law enforcement agencies, there has been less number of attacks. Most of the attacks targeted the engineers and workers associated with the projects.
The first such attack reported was in 2004 when three engineers were killed. In 2004, the incident was one of the biggest attacks after the murder of French nationals in 2002 where 11 were killed.
In 2021, there were attacks on Chinese nationals including an attack in Gwadar, followed by the killing of nine Chinese engineers working on the Dasu Hydroelectric power project in KP province. After these attacks, two Chinese nationals were injured while the other was wounded in Karachi. In the same year, a Sindhi separatist group wounded a Chinese national in a gun assault in Karachi followed by similar incidents in December.
Soon after the inception of the CPEC project, a 62 billion USD joint initiative that is in its important second phase, these incidents and attacks increased. There are firm reports on the involvement of the regional forces acting against the project.
After today’s attack, The government of Pakistan issued a statement condemning the attack and Prime Minister Shabaz Sharif visited the Chinese Embassy.
This is one of the highest profiled killing so far as the director of the Confucius center, which is considered an important segment of Chinese public diplomacy, has been killed.
