ISLAMABAD: The prime minister visited the Chinese Embassy in Islamabad to condemn a firing incident in Karachi on Tuesday in which two Chinese nationals were injured and assured exemplary punishment to those involved in the incident.
PM Shehbaz Sharif talks to Ambassador Jiang Zaidong during his visit to the Chinese embassy in Islamabad.—APP
Talking to Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong, PM Shehbaz said he came to condemn the attack on Chinese nationals and to inquire about the health of those injured in the incident, the Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement after the meeting.
This visit follows a period of tension after Ambassador Jiang voiced strong concerns over the safety of Chinese nationals in Pakistan, prompting a rare response from the Pakistani Foreign Office.
The recent escalation in violence against Chinese nationals has amplified Beijing’s security concerns, especially over progress on China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects.
Speaking at the event ‘China at 75: A Journey of Progress, Transformation and Global Leadership’ on Nov 1, the Chinese ambassador expressed frustration over the attacks, stating that it was “unacceptable” and urging the Pakistani government to strengthen security measures for Chinese nationals and crack down on anti-China elements.
During Wednesday’s meeting, PM Shehbaz reassured the Chinese ambassador of Pakistan’s commitment to safeguarding Chinese citizens and informed him that the best possible medical care was being provided to the injured, whose health is reportedly improving.
He reiterated that China remains a close and trusted ally and described the Karachi attack as a “desperate attempt” to strain Pakistan-China relations.
The prime minister was accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Interior Minister Mohsin Raza Naqvi and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Fatemi.
