In a desperate attempt to appease its economic master, Pakistan has assured China that it will prioritize the safety of Chinese nationals working on various infrastructure projects, even as its own citizens face relentless violence and instability. President Asif Ali Zardari, along with a high-profile delegation, traveled to Beijing for a five-day visit (February 4-8), seeking more economic and security cooperation from China despite Pakistan’s crumbling internal security situation.
Zardari met with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang, where he pledged full protection for Chinese personnel working on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects. A joint communiqué released on Thursday reinforced Pakistan’s commitment to “increasing security input” and ensuring a safe environment for Chinese investments, raising eyebrows as Pakistan’s own citizens continue to suffer from deteriorating law and order.
China Exploits Pakistan’s Instability for Its Own Gains
While China expresses concern over attacks on its workers, it has conveniently ignored the repression and violence against Baloch nationalists, who have long opposed Beijing’s exploitative projects in Balochistan. The Gwadar deep-sea port and other CPEC projects have brought little benefit to local populations, who continue to resist China’s economic colonization of Pakistan.
China, despite being fully aware of the deteriorating security situation in Pakistan, has not only demanded better security for its workers but has also pushed Islamabad to crack down harder on dissenting voices in Balochistan. While Beijing is willing to provide counterterrorism “assistance” to Pakistan, its main concern remains safeguarding its investments, not the rights or security of Pakistan’s own people.
Pakistan’s Security Priorities: Chinese Investors Over Its Own Citizens
Even as Pakistan experiences an unprecedented rise in terrorism, with 74 attacks recorded in January 2025 alone, Islamabad has prioritized Chinese security over its own soldiers and civilians. The recent Baloch Liberation Army attack that killed 18 Pakistani soldiers in Balochistan highlights the country’s fragile grip on security, yet its leaders remain more focused on appeasing Beijing than addressing domestic instability.
Pakistan’s failure to control militant groups like the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Baloch insurgents has created a security nightmare. Despite Pakistan’s frequent accusations against Afghanistan, blaming Kabul for harboring terrorists, it has failed to control militant networks within its own borders. The joint statement from Pakistan and China urging Afghanistan to “eliminate terrorist groups”is yet another example of Pakistan’s hypocrisy, as its own intelligence agencies have long supported extremist proxies for geopolitical gains.
China’s Influence Grows While Pakistan Sinks Deeper Into Dependence
Despite public complaints from Beijing over Pakistan’s worsening security situation, China has no intention of backing away from its economic stranglehold over Islamabad. Both countries signed over a dozen Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) in sectors like agriculture, technology, and trade, further deepening Pakistan’s dependence on Chinese loans and investments.
Zardari’s visit is yet another sign that Pakistan’s ruling elite is willing to sacrifice national sovereignty for Chinese handouts, even as its people suffer from record inflation, economic collapse, and an unstoppable wave of terrorism. While Zardari heads to Harbin to attend the 9th Asian Winter Games, Pakistan’s security forces remain overwhelmed, its people face growing threats, and its economy continues its freefall—all while Islamabad bends over backward to please Beijing.
