The construction of two major dam projects in Pakistan has been halted by Chinese contractors following a deadly attack, as per a statement by an official.
The attack, which occurred earlier this week, resulted in the deaths of five Chinese engineers and one Pakistani driver in a suicide bombing.
The provincial official informed AFP on Friday that the companies responsible for the projects are insisting on new security measures from Pakistani authorities before they resume work. Approximately 1,250 Chinese nationals are employed at these sites.
The safety of Chinese workers is a significant concern for both China and Pakistan, given the frequent targeting of Chinese nationals by militants opposed to foreign influence.
The attack on Tuesday involved a suicide bomber ramming into the engineers’ vehicle on a mountainous road near one of the dam sites, causing it to plunge into a ravine upon impact.
According to a senior official from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Interior Department, China Gezhouba Group Company has halted work on the Dasu dam, while Power China has ceased operations on the Diamer Bhasha dam since Wednesday.
These projects involve around 750 and 500 Chinese engineers, respectively. The movement of Chinese engineers has been restricted to their living compounds near the sites.
Although China has not officially commented, it has urged Pakistan to ensure the safety of its nationals multiple times this week.
