China-Pakistan Ties Under Pressure Over Security Concerns

Pakistan and China’s relationship is currently facing significant strain, primarily due to the deteriorating security situation in Pakistan.

Beijing appears increasingly skeptical regarding Islamabad’s efforts to adequately address the threats posed by militant groups that have targeted Chinese nationals within its borders. This skepticism has led to a perception that Pakistan is not doing enough to ensure the safety of Chinese citizens engaged in various projects, including those under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

Conversely, Pakistani authorities harbor their own reservations regarding China’s stance on these security issues. Pakistani government officials question Beijing’s commitment to exerting pressure on the Afghan Taliban, who are believed to provide sanctuary to militant factions responsible for attacks within Pakistan.

This mutual frustration has escalated amid a resurgence of violence attributed to militant groups such as the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces. The frequency of their attacks on security personnel and Chinese nationals has surged alarmingly, leading to increased casualties among armed forces members.

In the past, China conveyed its concerns to Pakistan behind closed doors, but this is no longer the case. A seminar in Islamabad was disrupted by the Chinese ambassador confronting Pakistan Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar over his remarks downplaying the severity of the security situation.

Addressing the seminar Dar said: “The Chinese are very clear; no matter how lucrative an investment is anywhere, if the security issue is there, they do not send Chinese personnel.

“Your country [Pakistan] is the only exception,” he told the audience, giving an impression that the current security situation was perhaps acceptable to Beijing.

In response, Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong expressed his discontent with Dar’s comments, stressing it is “very unacceptable for us to be attacked twice in only six months.” Jiang added, “Security is the biggest concern for China and a constraint to CPEC in Pakistan.”

Following this exchange, Pakistan’s foreign office issued a statement describing the Chinese ambassador’s remarks as “perplexing” and inconsistent with established diplomatic norms between the two countries.

China’s frustrations appear rooted in two primary issues. First, there is an observable lack of decisive action from Pakistan against militants, despite reiterated calls for enhanced protection of Chinese citizens.

Second, there are concerns related to China’s desire to deploy its own security personnel within Pakistan – a request met with resistance from Islamabad due to several considerations.

Recent developments indicate that Beijing has been urging Pakistan to more robustly safeguard Chinese lives and assets within its borders. Reports suggest that Beijing sent a written proposal to Islamabad, which has since been forwarded to Pakistani security agencies for review.

This proposal reportedly includes a clause permitting the dispatch of security personnel and military forces across each other’s territories to assist in counterterrorism missions and conduct joint strikes.

A recent report by the Financial Times highlighted that Chinese enterprises operating in Pakistan have been advocating for their government to seek enhanced protective measures, citing concerns over their trust in local security guards.

Consequently, it appears that Pakistan has agreed to some extent to allow China a greater role in managing the security of its assets than in the past. Notably, Chinese security engineers are already on-site to implement security plans, recruit local guards, perform background checks, and gather intelligence.

There appears to be a growing consensus on establishing a joint security management system whereby Pakistani officials would be amenable to having their Chinese counterparts participate in relevant security meetings and coordination efforts. Furthermore, there is potential for engagement with private Chinese security companies, tasked with providing protection for their nationals at project sites and during movement of convoys – an approach that would mitigate direct military involvement while fostering trust between both nations.

Pakistan has also announced the launch of a new military operation in Balochistan against terrorist organizations targeting civilians and foreigners. It has long been a demand of China that a comprehensive military operation be conducted in Balochistan to stop the increasing attacks being carried out by Baloch militant groups.

China is also sending troops to Pakistan to participate in a month-long joint counterterrorism military exercise, the first in five years, to enhance security cooperation. The development comes amid an exchange in proposals to increase coordination efforts to protect Chinese personnel and interests in Pakistan.

However, this evolving dynamic raises significant concerns from Pakistan’s perspective. Islamabad is apprehensive about the implications of an active presence of Chinese troops or private military contractors within its territory. With thousands of Chinese workers currently residing in Pakistan, permission for increased foreign security personnel could potentially lead to an escalation in tensions. The arrival of more Chinese security guards could not only increase the number of foreign nationals, but also enhance their visibility as targets for militant groups.

Moreover, this situation poses risks regarding public perception. Increased presence of Chinese personnel could provoke propaganda efforts against the Pakistani military’s competence and may inadvertently empower militant factions in Balochistan by providing them with recruitment opportunities.

In light of these complexities, it is prudent for Pakistan to resist pressure from China while seeking collaboration aimed at enhancing its own intelligence and surveillance capabilities.

Additionally, it seems that Pakistan is seeking greater support from Beijing concerning the Afghan Taliban regime’s assistance to the TTP and Baloch militant groups. Islamabad has briefed China on the utilization of Afghan territory by banned TTP affiliates and presented new evidence regarding their attacks in Pakistan.

Given China’s budding relationship with the Afghan Taliban, Beijing’s support could become effective in resolving the issue of the TTP and Baloch militants’ sanctuaries in Afghanistan.

In Pakistan, attacks against Chinese nationals have persisted for several years, leaving Islamabad little space to negotiate or dictate security terms with Beijing. Pakistan has to make sure there aren't any more killings of Chinese in Pakistan if it does not wish to entertain proposals asking for more role of Chinese troops or security personnel in the country.

Pakistan should take the security issue seriously and work with China to devise a joint mechanism, ensuring that standard operating procedures and clearly laid-out rules are followed rigorously.

As both nations navigate these complex dynamics, it remains imperative for them to engage in constructive dialogue aimed at addressing mutual concerns while fostering their historically strong partnership.