Pakistan agrees with China's approach of linking development with security: Naqvi

• Naqvi expresses solidarity over wounding of Chinese citizens.
• Security czar briefs Ambassador Zaidong over Karachi incident.
• He assures of additional security protocols for safe environment.
  

ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Thursday assured Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong that Islamabad was fully on board with Beijing's approach of combining development with security.

"We fully agree with the Chinese approach of combining development with security, and we will ensure the safety of Chinese nationals and projects as a top priority," said Naqvi while expressing solidarity with Ambassador Zaidong over an incident which saw two Chinese nationals being injured after being shot by a security guard in Karachi

The interior minister's remarks come after two Chinese nationals, as reported by The News on Wednesday, were wounded after they were fired upon at a textile mill in Karachi's Sindh Industrial Trading Estate (Site) area.

During a meeting at the Chinese Embassy in Islamabad, the security czar highlighted that Pakistan places the utmost priority on the well-being and security of Chinese citizens, particularly those working on projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

The minister also briefed Ambassador Jiang on the incident's details, assured him of a swift, transparent investigation, and reiterated Pakistan's commitment to ensuring justice and enhancing security for Chinese citizens in the country.

Addressing concerns surrounding the security of CPEC projects, Naqvi affirmed that Pakistan is taking "all possible measures" to protect Chinese citizens and assets linked to CPEC.

He revealed that additional security protocols are being implemented to create a safe and stable environment, especially in regions where Chinese nationals reside or work.

Security forces were actively working to bolster protective measures, particularly in Karachi, to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future, Naqvi noted.

The minister's meeting with the Chinese envoy comes a day after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the incident of firing on Chinese nationals during his visit to Beijing's embassy.

The PM said instructions have already been issued to provide the best medical facilities to the injured and that he was personally monitoring the investigation process to ensure that those responsible for the attack are brought to justice.