ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office stated on Thursday that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and other facets of the two countries’ bilateral cooperation would remain unaffected by the recent attack on Bisham.
“Pakistan and China are close friends and brothers and we will continue to work together to develop CPEC and to promote our cooperation,” FO spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said at the weekly media briefing, reiterating both nations’ commitment to their strategic partnership and ongoing projects and highlighting the tenacity of their collaboration.
Following a suicide attack on their van in Bisham on Tuesday that claimed the lives of six individuals, including five Chinese workers, worries regarding the safety and security of Chinese employees and projects in Pakistan have resurfaced.
Notably, this attack was one of several that took place in a few days that were directed at Chinese interests. These attacks included ones at the Gwadar Port Authority Complex and the Turbat naval facility, both of which are crucial to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The increasing security concerns that Chinese personnel and projects in Pakistan face were highlighted by these recurrent strikes.
A spokesman affirms that a plan to revive trade with India is being examined.
There were additional worries that Chinese companies might stop operating under the guise of a security threat when the Tarbela Hydropower Extension project was later put on hold and Chinese businesses operating in Pakistan received advice from the Chinese embassy to “closely follow the local security situation and take extra safety precautions “.
Pakistan is optimistic that the CPEC won’t be impacted because Beijing gave promises following the attack.
“Our two nations are strategic cooperating partners in all weather conditions. Our unbreakable bond is firmly entrenched in the two peoples. The spokeswoman for the Chinese foreign ministry, Lin Jian, had previously commented on the Bisham incident and warned that “no attempt to sabotage China-Pakistan cooperation will ever succeed.”
Jian added, “We remain firm in our commitment to working with Pakistan in various fields and delivering more benefit to the two peoples. China will continue to support Pakistan’s socioeconomic development and efforts to make lives better for its people.”
Ms. Baloch, who took note of the Chinese statement, said Beijing’s response acknowledged the attempts of evil forces to undermine the CPEC and assault the emblems of China-Pakistani cooperation while highlighting the close relationship and mutual understanding between the two nations.
The spokesperson stated that “senior level” talks were taking place between the two nations over the safety and security of Chinese nationals as well as the investigations into the Bisham incident.
Resumed business dealings with India
Ms. Baloch affirmed that a proposal for the restart of commerce with India was being examined by the FO.
The spokesman cited a statement made by Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar regarding the business community’s interest in reviewing trade restrictions with India and said, “The Pakistani government, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, examines such proposals on a regular basis. We continue to consider all such requests and assess our policy.”
Trade between the two nations was halted when India invaded occupied Kashmir unlawfully in 2019.
The spokesman emphasized that Pakistan’s stance on the matter has not changed as of now.
Trading with Afghanistan
The spokeswoman conveyed optimism regarding the advancements made in trade negotiations with Afghanistan. Commerce Secretary Khurrum Agha oversaw these discussions, which took place on March 24–27, 2024. He traveled to Afghanistan to meet with his colleague, Minister of Commerce Nooruddin Azizi.
These critical talks covered a wide range of trade-related topics on the agenda, such as the possible bilateral Preferential Trade Agreement, the Temporary Admission Document (TAD) for trade vehicle drivers, improvements to multimodal air travel, and the challenges that currently face transit trade.
This development in trade negotiations occurs amid a background of increased hostilities between the two nations, chiefly over issues pertaining to terrorist havens in Afghanistan. Taliban shelled border areas in retaliation after Islamabad recently took decisive action, including sending air force jets to bomb these sanctuaries.
Gaza war by Israel
Ms. Baloch asked Israel’s allies abroad to put pressure on Israel to follow the recently passed UN Security Council resolution that calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities in Palestine.
The spokesperson noted that the Israeli onslaught in Gaza persisted unabatedly, notwithstanding the end to the war.
She emphasized the horrible circumstances—genocide and famine, among others—that the Palestinian people are facing.
Her words emphasized the urgent need for world action to stop the Palestinian people’s suffering. It also emphasized the need for an end to the violence, the removal of the cruel siege, and the approval for humanitarian relief to enter Gaza from all directions.
