A high-level security meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, conducted an audit of the security measures being ensured for foreign nationals, especially Chinese.
In the wake of Tuesday's attack on Chinese engineers in Shangla, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif convened a high-level security meeting aimed at evaluating and enhancing the security measures for foreigners, with a special focus on Chinese residents in Pakistan.
The meeting also took stock of the country's overall security situation. The agenda primarily focused on conducting a comprehensive security review of Chinese nationals employed on various projects across Pakistan.
Heads of security agencies participated in the discussions, along with federal ministers, inspectors general of police, and other relevant authorities.
The sources said that the attack on the Chinese citizens was strongly condemned in the meeting, while the political leadership and security officials reiterated their commitment to ensure the security of Chinese citizens.
Also Read: Six killed in suicide attack in KP's Shangla district
The participants of the meeting also vowed to deal with terrorists with an iron hand. "The enemies of the country will be chased away everywhere," the meeting agreed.
Addressing the meeting, Prime Minister Sharif stated that the entire nation sympathised with the families of the slain Chinese citizens, stressing that Pakistan would soon investigate the incident at a high level.
"Those responsible and their facilitators will be severely punished. Any tactics to damage Pakistan-China friendship will not be allowed to succeed," Shehbaz remarked, adding that the enemies could never succeed in their evil intentions.
The prime minister emphasized on the enduring relationship of brotherhood between the people of Pakistan and China, adding that the entire nation was saddened by the loss of Chinese lives.
"The war against terrorism will continue till the end of the scourge," the PM vowed and directed to conduct a full joint investigation using all resources. He said the enemies of Pakistan had made terrorism a tool to hamper the development of Pakistan.
The meeting participants committed to combat terrorism using all available resources. They also expressed serious concerns over the sanctuaries available to terrorists across borders and emphasized the need for a regional approach to combating terrorism.
Army chief Gen Asim Munir said terrorism would be fought till the end with all their might, and reiterated the determination of the armed forces to end the menace of terrorism.
"The nation has steadfastly fought the war against terrorism for the last two decades. The army has thwarted the nefarious intentions of Pakistan's opponents. The enemies of Pakistan have once again underestimated the resilience and courage of the state and people," the army chief stressed.
"We will ensure that every foreign citizen, especially the Chinese, who has contributed to the prosperity of Pakistan, remains safe in Pakistan," Gen Munir vowed.
Sources within the meeting indicate that security considerations for Chinese citizens working in Pakistan were thoroughly examined, with a particular emphasis on reviewing existing security arrangements and conducting a detailed security audit.
The high-level meeting comes in the wake of Tuesday's attack on a convoy of Chinese engineers in the Bisham tehsil of Shangla district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which killed five foreign nationals and their local driver.
Also Read: Shangla attack: China demands thorough probe, seeks perpetrators' prosecution
Malakand Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of police Muhammad Ali claimed that five foreign engineers and their driver were feared to be the victims after their car was attacked.
He further said that many people were feared injured in the attack also. "The attack appears to be a suicide, but an investigation is underway," the police officer said, adding that the passenger vehicle was going from Islamabad to Kohistan.
The officer claimed that attackers rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into the passenger car, which eventually fell into a ditch.
