Islamabad (Agencies): In a rare public rebuff, Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong on Tuesday called for a crackdown on all anti-China terrorist groups, following two deadly attacks within six months. Speaking at a seminar titled ‘China at 75’, organized by the Pakistan China Institute and hosted by Senator Mushahid Hussain, Ambassador Jiang emphasized that security is the biggest constraint to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). “Without a safe and sound environment, nothing can be achieved,” he said.
Ambassador Jiang spoke twice during the seminar, first before Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar’s speech and then in a right to reply after Dar’s remarks on security for the Chinese. “It is very unacceptable for us to be attacked twice in only six months, and these attacks have also caused casualties,” he stated. The ambassador urged the Pakistani government to strengthen security measures to protect Chinese personnel, institutions, and projects.
“Pakistan should severely punish the perpetrators and crack down on all anti-China terrorist groups,” Jiang added, highlighting that security is the biggest concern for China and a constraint to CPEC in Pakistan.
Deputy Prime Minister Dar, in his speech, acknowledged the security concerns, stating that “Chinese are very clear no matter how lucrative an investment is anywhere if the security issue is there they do not send Chinese personnel. Your country is the only exception. This is what the Chinese leadership told the Prime Minister of Pakistan in my presence.”
The seminar underscored the critical importance of addressing security challenges to ensure the smooth progression of CPEC and foster stronger bilateral relations between China and Pakistan.