In the face of mounting security threats, China and Pakistan are poised to sign a landmark agreement aimed at bolstering protection for Chinese infrastructure projects and workers involved in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). This crucial deal marks a significant step towards addressing the growing concerns over the safety of Chinese personnel and investments within Pakistan, a country where China holds the title of the largest foreign investor.
The CPEC, a cornerstone of Xi Jinping’s ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), has witnessed a surge in Chinese investments, reaching a staggering $65 billion. However, the project has also faced a string of attacks targeting Chinese workers and projects, prompting China to prioritize security in conjunction with its business dealings.
According to Nikkei Asia, the agreement on the horizon will involve the establishment of joint security companies and the deployment of Chinese security personnel to safeguard Chinese projects and workers. This move comes amidst the threat posed by both the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Baloch rebel groups, including the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), who are striving for an independent nation for the Baloch ethnic minority in southwestern Pakistan.
The proposed two-tier security system outlined in the deal will see Chinese security personnel forming the inner protective grid, while Pakistani personnel will constitute the outer layer. Chinese workers are also expected to travel in armored vehicles for added protection.
China has made it clear that future investments in Pakistan are contingent upon enhanced security for its interests and robust counter-terrorism collaboration. Since 2022, China has sought the deployment of its own security personnel, but Pakistan initially resisted the request. However, with the Pakistani economy facing ongoing challenges, the country seems to be yielding to China’s demands.
To secure Pakistan’s agreement for the deployment of Chinese security personnel, China has sweetened the deal with the promise of increased investment in infrastructure, energy, and transportation projects under CPEC. Reports in Pakistani media suggest that China has also indicated a swift restart of the $7 billion Main Line 1 railway project, the largest single CPEC project, which will connect Peshawar in the northwest to Karachi in the south via a 2,600-kilometer railway line.
This agreement signifies the growing importance of security considerations within the context of the BRI, particularly in regions facing instability. The deployment of Chinese security personnel in Pakistan raises a number of questions about the potential impact on sovereignty and the broader implications of this new security arrangement.
