After Death Of Nine Chinese Nationals In Bus Blast In Pakistan, Beijing Postpones Key CPEC Meeting With Islamabad

China has postponed an important meeting of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) that was scheduled to be held today (16 July) following the death of nine Chinese nationals in an explosion on a bus in Pakistan, reports Livemint.

The blast took place on Wednesday (14 July) in the Dasu area of Upper Kohistan district of the restive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province where Chinese engineers and construction workers are helping Pakistan build a dam. The said dam is a part of the $60 billion CPEC.

In total, the blast killed 13 people which also includes two frontier corps soldiers. Meanwhile, 39 others were injured in the attack. It should be noted that the bus was carrying Chinese engineers and workers to the site of the under-construction Dasu Dam when it exploded. Following this, it fell into a deep ravine.

China has called for severe punishment against those behind the blast. Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Nong Rong has also urged that the truth must be found. The explosion in the bus has shocked Beijing, considering the number of Chinese casualties. The country is also sending a cross-department workgroup to assist Pakistan on the case.