On Sunday night near Karachi airport, a terrorist attack killed several Chinese nationals. They were discussing terms for Independent Power Producers (IPPs) with top officials. Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb shared this information on Tuesday.
Read: Explosion Near Karachi Airport Results in Casualties
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has committed to protecting Chinese workers in Pakistan, labelling them “untouchable.”
He emphasized the need for peace and security to attract foreign investment. He also vowed to avoid incidents like the 2014 PTI sit-in that disrupted a visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Finance Minister Aurangzeb stated that the victims were IPP engineers. He and Power Minister Awais Leghari had been negotiating with them to adjust debt profiles and extend maturities, which would lower power tariffs and relieve financial stress on citizens.
“The Chinese IPP was ready to work with us for mutual benefits. Their senior management had even travelled from Beijing to progress these talks,” the minister noted, expressing condolences and hoping for continued dialogue with China.
Aurangzeb also discussed the economic impact of the PTI’s recent strike call, which paralyzed major cities such as Islamabad and Lahore. The Finance Ministry estimated a day’s strike could cost about Rs190 billion.
This strike also harmed the social sector by blocking access to hospitals and schools. It affected the incomes of construction workers, street vendors, and other daily earners, affecting around 800,000 families in the capital.
During a cabinet meeting, PM Sharif compared the recent PTI protests to the 2014 sit-in. “We will not tolerate such actions again. I promise to prevent any recurrence,” he declared.
He recalled the prolonged 2014-15 sit-in, which continued despite the planned visit of the Chinese president. He criticized the KP chief minister and others for causing unrest in Islamabad, especially with upcoming visits from Chinese and Saudi delegations.
