China’s reported reluctance to invest in new projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) stems primarily from concerns about the safety of its citizens and assets in Pakistan.
This hesitation appears to have prompted the Pakistani government to act, with Islamabad recently approving the revival of a national counterterrorism operation known as Operation Azm-e-Istekam.
According to a recent editorial in Dawn, the move underscores Pakistan’s awareness of the importance of addressing China’s security concerns, especially at a time when attracting foreign investment is crucial for the country’s economic development.
Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif, at a press conference in Lahore, made it clear that the main focus of Operation Azm-e-Isteqam would be Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan.
He said a comprehensive plan detailing the framework for these operations would be released soon. Notably, Chinese nationals, workers and projects have been targeted by violence and security threats within Pakistani territory.
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These incidents have raised concerns over the safety and security of Chinese nationals and investments in Pakistan, especially in projects such as the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
Such an attack could have serious implications not only for bilateral relations between China and Pakistan, but also for regional stability and economic cooperation.
However, Pakistan’s military operations have frequently been met with allegations of human rights violations, including excessive use of force, arbitrary arrests, disappearances and mistreatment of civilians in conflict and insurgency-affected areas such as Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
These allegations are frequently reported by human rights groups and international observers, raising concerns about the protection of civil liberties and compliance with international humanitarian law.
Such reports could strain Pakistan’s relations with the international community and prompt calls for accountability and reform within the military and security forces.
