Islamabad, February 22: Pakistan appears to be yielding to demands from Beijing. A significant indication of this is the establishment of a special security unit dedicated to the protection of Chinese citizens. Reports suggest that this initiative prioritizes Chinese workers over the local population.
Amid challenges posed by extremism, Pakistan is making continuous concessions to China to maintain investment. According to a report from the prominent international magazine ‘The Diplomat,’ Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi announced the formation of a new special security unit responsible for safeguarding Chinese nationals in January 2026. This decision comes years after a series of attacks on Chinese citizens, workers, and infrastructure projects by militant groups in Pakistan.
The report highlights that by focusing more on Chinese interests, Pakistan is showing unease in keeping its largest sponsor on its side. Meanwhile, Beijing is capitalizing on Islamabad’s weakening position to strengthen its presence in the country, a strategy it began implementing in the latter half of 2025.
Since the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan in 2021, China has been attempting to establish its authority in the region, taking advantage of the diminishing presence and influence of the United States.
Instead of benefiting from this strategy, Chinese interests have become targets for various terrorist and militant groups, resulting in violence against Chinese workers.
Pakistan has been the focal point of a sharp increase in attacks, particularly from the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), which have specifically targeted Chinese infrastructure projects in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. In recent months, there has also been a rise in attacks on Chinese workers, citizens, and businesses in neighboring Afghanistan and Tajikistan.
The report notes that hostility towards China has become common among several regional and international terrorist organizations, despite their differing strategic objectives.
It also mentions that vulnerabilities in Pakistan’s security were exposed following an attack by the BLA on January 31, which involved coordinated suicide bombings and gunfire, resulting in the deaths of dozens of Pakistani police and military personnel in Balochistan.
According to the report, the Chinese Communist Party has repeatedly urged Pakistan to allow the deployment of its armed security forces to protect Chinese citizens, reflecting a clear distrust in Pakistan’s ability to handle its internal security challenges. Beijing has even proposed the permanent stationing of Chinese military personnel in the Gwadar port city. However, Islamabad has shown reluctance to cede more sovereignty.
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