A suicide attack that claimed the lives of five Chinese engineers and a Pakistani driver on Tuesday, March 26th, has thrown a wrench into a major infrastructure collaboration between China and Pakistan.

Construction on two key dam projects has been suspended by Chinese contractors, raising concerns about the safety of Chinese personnel working in Pakistan.

The bombing targeted a vehicle carrying Chinese engineers 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 life. This attack has significantly impacted the Dasu and Diamer Bhasha dam projects, vital components of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a multi-billion dollar infrastructure initiative aimed at boosting regional connectivity.

Following the attack, Chinese companies, including China Gezhouba Group Company working on the Dasu dam and Power China leading the Diamer Bhasha dam project, have halted construction activities. These projects employ a significant number of Chinese nationals, with estimates suggesting roughly 1,250 working across both sites. The companies are demanding enhanced security measures from Pakistani authorities before resuming work.

The attack has not only caused project delays but also reignited Pakistani anxieties surrounding the CPEC initiative. While China remains a close ally, offering crucial financial assistance to Pakistan, some Pakistanis perceive an unequal distribution of jobs and wealth generated by these projects. This sentiment has been simmering for some time, and the recent bombing has brought it back to the forefront.

China has responded firmly to the attack, urging Pakistan to prioritize the safety of its citizens and infrastructure projects within the country. The Chinese embassy in Islamabad has engaged in extensive diplomatic discussions with Pakistani officials, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who offered condolences to the victims' families.

The bombing targeting Chinese engineers is not an isolated incident. It comes on the heels of an attempted attack on the strategically important Gwadar deepwater port, another cornerstone of CPEC. In 2019, a similar attack on a luxury hotel near Gwadar further highlighted the security challenges faced by Chinese investments in Pakistan. These incidents point towards a larger issue of regional instability and the presence of militant groups opposed to China's growing influence in Pakistan.

The attack presents a significant challenge for both China and Pakistan. Both nations will need to work together to address security concerns and ensure the safety of Chinese personnel working on CPEC projects. This might involve increased collaboration between Pakistani security forces and Chinese security agencies, as well as addressing the underlying grievances of some Pakistanis regarding the economic benefits of the CPEC initiative. Only through a combined effort can China and Pakistan ensure the smooth continuation of these crucial infrastructure projects and strengthen their long-standing partnership. (ILKHA)