China halts 2 dam projects in Pakistan after suicide attack kills 5 engineers
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Peshawar, Mar 29: In a major development, Chinese contractors have halted construction on two major dam projects in Pakistan after a suicide bomber killed five Chinese engineers and a Pakistani driver this week. The companies have demanded that Pakistan authorities come up with new security plans before reopening the sites where around 1,250 Chinese nationals are working.
Reports suggest that China Gezhouba Group Company has halted work on the Dasu dam in the province and Power China has stopped work on Diamer Bhasha dam, which straddles two provinces.
China have demanded new security plans from the government. While 750 Chinese engineers are engaged in the Dasu Dam project, 500 are working on the Diamer Bhasha Dam. Moreover, Chinese engineers has been restricted to the compounds where they live, close to the sites.
On Tuesday, the Chinese workers were targeted by a suicide bomber who rammed into their vehicle on a mountainous road near one of the dam sites. He detonated his explosives on impact, plunging their vehicle into a deep ravine.
The security of Chinese workers is a major concern to both countries, with nationals frequently targeted by militants. However, Beijing is Islamabad's closest regional ally, readily providing financial assistance to bail out its often-struggling neighbour.
China has inked more than two trillion dollars in contracts around the world under its Belt and Road investment scheme, with billions pouring into infrastructure projects in Pakistan.