China Wants To Deploy Its Security Forces In Pakistan To Secure CPEC Projects, Its Nationals — Here's Why This Matters

Last month, a bombing at Karachi airport killed two Chinese engineers, marking the latest in a series of attacks targeting Beijing’s interests in Pakistan.

Earlier in 2024, there were a series of attacks on Chinese-backed infrastructure under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

Notably, the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) attempted an assault on the Gwadar Port Authority (GPA), where many Chinese nationals work, followed by an attempted incursion at the PNS Siddique airbase on March 26. Pakistani security forces thwarted both attempts but suffered casualties. Just days later, a suicide attack in Besham, targeting the Dasu hydropower project, underscored the persistent risks. This project had previously been attacked in 2021, killing nine Chinese engineers.

The BLA has a history of high-profile attacks against Chinese workers and projects, including bombings at Karachi’s Chinese consulate in 2018, Gwadar’s Pearl Continental hotel in 2019, the Pakistan Stock Exchange in 2020, and the Confucius Institute at Karachi University in 2022. Additionally, other militant factions, such as the Islamic State’s Afghanistan branch, have also targeted Chinese nationals, as seen in the kidnapping and killing of a Chinese couple in Quetta in 2017.

Attacks on Chinese projects and officials stem from longstanding grievances among the Baloch population, who feel marginalized and exploited. Despite being rich in resources, Balochistan remains economically underdeveloped, leading to resentment against the Pakistani state, which they believe benefits from their resources while neglecting local needs. Many Baloch view Chinese projects as extensions of this exploitation, prompting militant groups like the BLA to target these projects and their managers, seeing them as symbols of foreign influence and economic oppression.

The Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has also attacked Chinese nationals, demanding the reversal of Pakistan’s merger of northwestern tribal areas with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and stricter enforcement of their interpretation of Islamic law.

These attacks have angered China, which has long pressured Pakistan behind the scenes to include it in efforts to ensure the security of its citizens.

However, reports indicate that China is now openly pushing the Pakistan Army to include Beijing in the security apparatus aimed at thwarting attacks against its nationals.

In a recent meeting, Beijing presented evidence of lapses in these measures. Publicly, China’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Jiang Zaidong, voiced strong disapproval of the ongoing attacks, labeling them “unacceptable” and urging Pakistan to enhance protection for Chinese citizens and take action against anti-China elements.

According to a few Pakistani officials cited in a Reuters report, China recently submitted a proposal to Pakistan, which includes a clause permitting the mutual deployment of security and military forces to assist in counter-terrorism and conduct joint operations.

While the proposed plan would involve discussions before deploying forces, Pakistani officials have expressed reservations and instead suggested that China focus on enhancing Pakistan's intelligence capabilities.

India is closely monitoring these developments, as a Chinese military presence in Pakistan would bring Chinese forces to PoK, where many CPEC projects are concentrated.

New Delhi considers PoK its territory and views any foreign presence there as an infringement on its sovereignty. This is why India has opposed the CPEC and the broader One Belt, One Road initiative. It has repeatedly warned countries, especially neighbors like Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Bangladesh, about the risks associated with the project, including the Chinese debt trap.

The presence of Chinese security forces in PoK would enhance China's influence near India’s northern borders, complicating India’s strategy in managing its relations with both Rawalpindi and Beijing.