Following the tragic attack on Chinese residents in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has convened a high-level security meeting scheduled for today. Government sources indicate that the meeting will primarily address concerns regarding the security of Chinese nationals employed in various projects across Pakistan.
Expected attendees at the meeting include federal ministers, senior military officials, and Inspector Generals (IGs) tasked with overseeing security measures in the region. The meeting underscores the government’s commitment to ensuring the safety and protection of foreign nationals contributing to development initiatives within Pakistan.
Meanwhile, the federal cabinet meeting, initially slated for today, has been postponed, with the rescheduled date set for March 28. This decision reflects the government’s prioritization of addressing urgent security concerns in the aftermath of the recent attack.
The tragic incident occurred in the Bisham area of Shangla district, where a suicide bomber targeted a vehicle transporting Chinese engineers. The explosive-laden vehicle detonated near the convoy carrying the engineers from Islamabad to the Dasu camp. The attack resulted in the loss of six lives, including five Chinese citizens and one woman.
According to the DIG Malakand, security forces swiftly responded to the attack by cordoning off the area and launching a thorough search operation. Additionally, authorities temporarily closed the Karakoram Highway, disrupting traffic between Bisham and Kohistan as part of security measures.
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have vehemently condemned the attack, expressing profound grief over the loss of lives. Both leaders emphasized the need for swift action to apprehend the perpetrators and enhance security measures to prevent such incidents in the future.
The DIG Malakand revealed that the assailants deliberately targeted the vehicle carrying Chinese passengers, underscoring the gravity of the security threat posed to foreign nationals working in Pakistan. The attack highlights the challenges faced in ensuring the safety of international personnel engaged in various projects aimed at promoting socio-economic development in the region.
