Pakistan agrees with China's approach of linking development with security: Naqvi
1. Minister reiterates Islamabad's commitment to ensuring justice, enhancing security for Chinese citizens
ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi assured Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong on Thursday that Islamabad fully supports Beijing's strategy of integrating development with security.
“We completely agree with China’s approach of combining development with security, and we will prioritize the safety of Chinese nationals and projects,” Naqvi stated, expressing solidarity with Ambassador Zaidong following an incident in which two Chinese nationals were injured by a security guard's gunfire in Karachi.
Naqvi’s comments followed a report by *The News* on Wednesday, which stated that the two Chinese nationals were wounded after being shot at a textile mill in Karachi’s Sindh Industrial Trading Estate (Site) area.
During a meeting at the Chinese Embassy in Islamabad, Naqvi emphasized Pakistan’s commitment to the safety of Chinese citizens, particularly those involved in projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). He briefed Ambassador Jiang on the details of the shooting incident and assured him that a swift and transparent investigation would be conducted. He also reaffirmed Pakistan’s determination to uphold justice and strengthen security for Chinese nationals in the country.
Addressing concerns about the security of CPEC projects, Naqvi stated that Pakistan is taking “all possible measures” to safeguard Chinese citizens and assets tied to CPEC initiatives.
He revealed that additional security measures were being implemented, particularly in areas where Chinese nationals live or work, to ensure a secure and stable environment. Naqvi further noted that security forces are actively reinforcing protective measures, especially in Karachi, to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The meeting with the Chinese envoy took place a day after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the shooting incident during a visit to Beijing’s embassy. The Prime Minister confirmed that instructions had been given to provide the best medical care to the injured and that he was personally overseeing the investigation to ensure that those responsible are held accountable.
