China is pushing Islamabad to permit its security staff to protect thousands of its citizens working in the country, sources have told Reuters.
On October 6, an explosion near Karachi Airport killed two Chinese engineers and injured 11 people, an attack that was seen as a major security breach.
The banned outfit Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) had taken responsibility for the blast.
Recent attacks and security failures have reportedly angered China, prompting Pakistan to initiate formal negotiations for a joint security management system.
Reuters spoke to five Pakistani security and government sources with direct knowledge of the previously unreported negotiations and demands on condition of anonymity, as the talks are sensitive, and reviewed a written proposal sent by China to Pakistan.
One official stated: “They (Chinese) want to bring in their own security,” adding that Pakistan had not agreed so far.
The source and two other officials said there was a consensus on setting up a joint security management system and that Pakistan was amenable to Chinese officials sitting in on security meetings and coordination.
However, neither China nor Pakistan officially confirmed the off-record talks.
Privately, Beijing has expressed frustration. At one recent meeting, the Chinese side provided evidence that Pakistan had failed to follow security protocols agreed on twice in recent months, three officials told Reuters.
“It was a grave security breach,” admitted one of the officials investigating the bombing.
Speaking at a press conference on November 11, Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar confirmed that during an intelligence-based operation, one of the masterminds of the suicide bombing, Javed alias Sameer, and his accomplice Gul Nisa, were arrested at CD Highway near Umar Goth Chowk, Karachi, while riding a bike. The two had entered Karachi via Hub.
“An investigation revealed Javed’s direct involvement in the suicide bombing, while Gul Nisa had facilitated [him],” Lanjar added.
“On Oct 6, the terrorist checked out of the hotel. He later picked up his other accomplices near Jail Chowrangi in the vehicle that would be used in the attack. They circled the airport and then returned to a park near the Marriott Hotel.”
“From there, they recorded the suicide attacker’s final video on a mobile phone and sent it to their BLA commander. At around 9:30 pm, they reached Karachi Airport. The suicide attacker and one of his accomplices remained in the vehicle while the third accomplice entered Karachi Airport,” Sindh Home Minister said.
