Shehbaz says protecting Chinese is Pakistan’s top priority

ISLAMABAD: Amid swift and effective operations against terrorists, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday said providing security to the Chinese nationals in Pakistan was the top priority of the government.

“We are developing a safe and business-friendly environment for the Chinese community,” said the prime minister who was chairing a meeting to review security arrangements for the people from China currently residing in Pakistan.

The Chinese companies trust is very important for our economic future,” Shehbaz stressed, as Islamabad is trying hard to attract Chinese investment in different sectors.

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WHY THE FOCUS?

The comments came as the Indian-sponsored terrorists in Balochistan have repeatedly targeted the Chinese citizens and interests in an attempt to sabotage the development projects like the CPEC.

In fact, they are openly opposing Chinese investment in Balochistan, thus exposing their real intentions and the possible external support they receive.

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However, the Khawarij, including TTP and other groups, too have attacked the Chinese on multiple occasion, which shows a “consensus” among the terrorists of all forms and manifestations.

2ND PHASE OF CPEC

About the future prospects, the prime minister said the CPEC was entering the second phase — a stage that has been delayed since 2018 amid domestic political changes in Pakistan.

Meanwhile, he described the economic corridor as a vital bilateral arrangement for Pakistan and China.

When it comes to the modus operandi, Shehbaz said economic opportunities would be explored in the business-to-business mode.

That’s why the prime minister noted that measures were being taken to extend effective security to the Chinese nationals, while citing the Safe City Project as an example which is introduced in different cities.