By Qamar Bashir
The tragic incident that deeply shook the core of the Pakistani nation was the
malicious, deceitful, and heartless attack on our Chinese brothers. These selfless
individuals left behind their homeland, families, and loved ones to contribute to the
construction of vital energy, transport, and communication infrastructure in remote
areas of our country, far from the bustling urban centers. They dedicated their
days, weeks, and years to this noble cause, with the sole aim of providing a
conducive environment for all Pakistanis to enjoy reliable electricity, safe
transportation on well-constructed roads, highways, and motorways, and access to
efficient public transport systems such as Metro bus services, green buses, and Bus
Rapid Transit (BRT). The attack on them not only robbed us of invaluable lives but
also struck at the heart of our collective aspirations for progress and development.
The enemy, driven by ulterior motives, callously disregarded the longstanding
tradition of Pakistani hospitality, which dictates that even the fiercest adversary's
guests should be protected and cared for. The ruthless and heartless terrorists, with
their stone-eyed resolve, cowardly attacked innocent, unarmed Chinese civilians
around 1 p.m. on March 26 near Bisham, resulting in the martyrdom of five
Chinese nationals and one Pakistani working on the Dasu Hydropower Project in
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province. Their sole aim was to strike at the heart of our
nation by targeting our Chinese friends, who selflessly offer their assistance to our
country without seeking anything in return.
The profound bonds of friendship and brotherhood with our Chinese allies are
treasured and esteemed deeply. Their unwavering support and genuine gestures of
affection resonate profoundly within our hearts. The enemy, recognizing the
significance of our relationship, maliciously targeted our Chinese friends, knowing
that such an act would evoke intense pain, sorrow, and outrage across every corner
of Pakistan. This collective anguish transcends geographical, social, and
governmental boundaries, profoundly impacting every Pakistani who holds our
Chinese brothers and sisters close to their hearts.
In times of adversity, our Chinese counterparts have consistently extended their
helping hands to us, demonstrating unwavering support and solidarity without any
expectation of reciprocity. They epitomize true family members, standing by us
through thick and thin. The cowardly attack not only inflicted physical harm but
also inflicted a deep wound on the collective spirit of our nation, serving as a stark
reminder of the invaluable bond we share with our Chinese brethren.
What the enemy failed to comprehend is that the bond between the Chinese and
Pakistanis transcends mere material considerations—it is a connection of blood
and soul. The people of both nations are intertwined as one body and one soul.
When any part of this body is harmed, the entire entity feels the pain. However,
rather than driving a wedge between us, cowardly attacks only serve to strengthen
our resolve and deepen our unity.
In the face of such heinous and reprehensible acts, the consequences could have
been dire if they had targeted nationals of any other country. There may have been
swift actions such as the withdrawal of nationals from Pakistan, issuance of travel
advisories, halting of ongoing projects, and advisories to cease business activities
with Pakistan. Threatening statements may have been issued, placing blame on
Pakistan and its security forces for failing to protect their citizens and workers
within the country.
The statement issued by the articulate spokesperson of the Chinese Foreign
Ministry stood in stark contrast to what might have been expected from any other
nation under similar circumstances. Strongly condemning the terrorist attack, the
spokesperson reaffirmed the unwavering bond between China and Pakistan,
describing them as "all-weather strategic cooperative partners'' and "iron-clad
brothers." Furthermore, the spokesperson emphasized the critical role of the China-
Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in Pakistan's socio economic development,
asserting that no attempt to undermine this cooperation would succeed.
Expressing China's staunch opposition to terrorism in all its forms, the
spokesperson reiterated firm support for Pakistan in its fight against terrorism.
Promising even stronger commitment to safeguard the safety and security of
Chinese personnel, projects, and institutions in Pakistan, the statement delivered a
resounding message to the terrorists and their backers.
This robust and unequivocal response undoubtedly dealt a significant blow to the
terrorists and their network of masterminds, handlers, financiers, abettors, and
facilitators. It must have left them feeling frustrated and dejected, as their sinister
aims and objectives were thwarted. The statement served as a powerful deterrent,
rendering their strategy, planning, financial resources, and human assets futile in
the face of unwavering solidarity between China and Pakistan.
The heartless terrorists are undoubtedly well aware of the formidable prowess,
professional competence, and the far-reaching effectiveness of the Pakistani armed
forces and security forces. Once a target is set, they execute their operations with
meticulous planning and finesse. Retribution for such cowardly acts will not be
delayed.
These terrorists are also cognizant of the history of the Pakistani military, which
has a track record of delivering swift and decisive responses. From repelling Indian
aggression to defending the nation's sovereignty against incursions from Iran and
Afghanistan, the Pakistani armed forces have demonstrated their strength and
resolve time and again.
Furthermore, the same military force stood resilient against the might of the USSR
during its invasion of Afghanistan in 1979. Not only did Pakistan resist the
invasion, but it also played a pivotal role in ultimately defeating and dismantling
the USSR, freeing numerous nations from its dominance in the process.
It's only a matter of time before the long arm of our security forces tracks down the
perpetrators of this heinous and cowardly attack whose target wasn't an equal
adversary but innocent, unarmed civilians. This wasn't an act of bravery or
gallantry, but one of cowardice and cunning. Rest assured, such actions will not go
unpunished, regardless of the cost.
The highest echelons of Pakistani leadership, both civilian and armed forces deeply
aggrieved, hurt and anguished by these cowardly attacks has also set in place an
elaborate mechanism to rootout terrorism once for all. This includes full activation
of the fourteen-point National Action Plan which unanimously conceived after the
APS Peshawar incident played a pivotal role in defeating terrorism on our soil.
Furthermore, tighter and foolproof border control measures will be enforced to halt
the cross-border movement of terrorists. Efforts to push out illegal aliens will be
intensified to shrink the space for abettors and facilitators of terrorism. Both
foreign and local facilitators and abettors will be held accountable and brought to
justice. Moreover, all safe havens and sanctuaries of terrorists will be identified
and neutralized.
Equally aggressive actions are likely to be initiated on the diplomatic front to
garner international support in countering terrorism and addressing its root causes.
Diplomatically, Pakistan will engage in active diplomacy by convening
multilateral forums such as the United Nations and regional organizations to
advocate for collective action against terrorism.
Politically, Pakistan is working to address the root causes of terrorism by
promoting socio economic development, education, and by implementing policies
aimed at reducing poverty, inequality, and marginalization, which are often
exploited by extremist groups to recruit followers.
Furthermore, Pakistan actively counters extremist narratives and propaganda
through public diplomacy campaigns and religious outreach programs by
challenging extremist ideologies through education and media initiatives.
Despite the cowardly act of terrorism targeting our esteemed Chinese brothers and
sisters, and irrespective of the outcomes of kinetic and diplomatic counter-
terrorism efforts, the enduring friendship between China and Pakistan, along with
the profound bond of love and affection between the Chinese and Pakistani people,will only grow stronger with each passing day.
