Two Chinese nationals were shot and injured in Karachi, Pakistan’s key commercial city, on Tuesday. This incident adds to a series of recent attacks that have raised safety concerns among Chinese citizens in Pakistan. The attack prompted renewed calls from Beijing for stronger security measures to protect its citizens in the country.
Police And Hospital Statements On The Attack
Faizan Ali, a senior police superintendent, confirmed that the two Chinese nationals were shot in Karachi. However, he did not provide additional details regarding the circumstances of the incident. Officials from Liaquat National Hospital, where the injured were taken, reported that one of the victims remains in serious condition.
Possible Motives Behind The Attack
Currently, the motives behind the shooting remain unclear. It is unknown if the attack was related to militant violence. However, incidents targeting Chinese citizens in Pakistan have been frequent, leading Beijing to press for improved security.
Background On Attacks Targeting Chinese Nationals
In October, a bombing close to Karachi’s international airport claimed the lives of two Chinese engineers. The separatist group Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for the attack. The BLA, which has been involved in a prolonged insurgency in Pakistan’s southwestern region, often targets the government, military, and Chinese interests. The group demands a larger share of regional resources, with a history of violent attacks aiming to advance its cause.
Ongoing violence from separatist groups has prompted Beijing to urge Pakistan to strengthen security measures for its citizens, particularly those involved in major development projects in the country. The latest incident in Karachi underscores the need for enhanced safety efforts amid rising security concerns for foreign nationals in the region.
(with inputs from Reuters)