China may deploy troops in Pakistan for safety

China Considers Troop Deployment in Pakistan Amid Rising Attacks on Its Nationals
Approximately 30,000 Chinese nationals are currently working on various projects across Pakistan. Due to repeated attacks on Chinese citizens, both China and Pakistan have ramped up efforts to secure their safety. The latest attack, a suicide bombing by the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) on October 6, killed two Chinese workers in Gwadar, raising alarm in Beijing. As a result, China is reportedly planning direct action to protect its citizens.

Intelligence reports suggest that China is considering deploying troops to Pakistan for this purpose. In response, Pakistan has increased its security measures. In August, the country allocated 60 billion rupees to “Operation Azm-E-Istekham” as part of its broader defense budget of 2.1 trillion rupees. Additionally, Pakistan approved 90 billion rupees at China’s request to protect Chinese nationals and safeguard phase two of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects.

Beijing has also proposed setting up a joint security company with Pakistan to enhance worker protection. This has fueled speculation about a possible larger Chinese presence in sensitive areas like Balochistan, where separatist militants frequently target Chinese interests. Talks between both nations also include an anti-terrorism cooperation agreement, potentially paving the way for an official Chinese military presence in Pakistan.

China is pushing for more security measures under CPEC phase two, including mobile security equipment and ballistic protective vehicles. These efforts are critical to safeguarding the estimated 30,000 Chinese nationals working on energy, infrastructure, and development projects across Pakistan.

Since the launch of CPEC in 2015, China has invested about USD 62 billion in Pakistan, an increase from the initial projection of USD 46 billion as new projects were added. This investment is a key part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), designed to enhance regional connectivity and economic cooperation.

The escalating attacks on Chinese citizens have strained Pakistan-China relations, making strong security measures crucial. Both nations may soon formalize a partnership through an anti-terrorism agreement, which could increase China’s military involvement to protect its investments and people.

Major attacks on Chinese nationals in Pakistan in recent years:

October 6, 2024: Two Chinese nationals killed in a BLA suicide bombing in Gwadar, Balochistan.
April 26, 2022: A suicide attack at Karachi University killed three Chinese teachers.
August 20, 2021: A convoy of Chinese workers was attacked in Gwadar, leading to casualties among security personnel.
July 14, 2021: A bomb attack on a bus killed nine Chinese workers in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The repeated attacks have strained relations between Pakistan and China, prompting both countries to take serious steps to ensure the safety of Chinese nationals and the continuation of CPEC projects.