How long will Beijing wait for Islamabad to revise security for CPEC?
Not everyone is a fan of CPEC. Our allies in the west are certainly wary. And while they make plenty of noise about it, one statement that came out of the Pentagon certainly rings true: the bigger and more high profile the project, the bigger a target it becomes.
Calling the abduction and murder of four Chinese nationals a tragedy — in what is the latest attack on Chinese personnel working on the Corridor’s projects – does not do it justice. This was a litmus test for Pakistan – one that we seem to continue to fail. Failing to provide sufficient security was bad enough, failing to recover the hostages in the recent attempt and failing to find and remove flaws in policy were worse. What makes the situation more ludicrous are claims to the press that any possibility of an ISIS foothold in the region has been eliminated, even as the terrorists claim responsibility.
The west is already wary of increasing Chinese economic aspirations. If Beijing needs to step in to protect its citizens on Pakistani soil, it won’t just be the Pentagon’s worst fears come alive – Pakistan will suffer too.
It’s high time Islamabad and concerned forces revised their strategies and resource allocation when it comes to prioritising the safety and security of CPEC workers. Or else, the Sino-Pak friendship may strain to a point where China starts re-evaluating its own priorities.