Eight terror attacks were carried out by militants from 2020 to 2024 across Pakistan targeting foreigner nationals engaged in the China-Pak Economic Corridor (CPEC) project, which resulted in 62 casualties including 24 deaths and 38 injuries, the National Assembly was told.
Sharing the data with the House, the Minister for Interior Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi told that in the period from 2020 to 2024, three attacks targeted Chinese nationals and one targeted Japanese in Sindh causing 12 casualties including five deaths and seven injuries.
In Balochistan, two attacks targeted Chinese nationals, leaving three injured.
While two attacks on Chinese nationals were witnessed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, resulting in 19 deaths and 28 injuries of both Chinese workers and personnel of law enforcement agencies (LEAs).
The detail of terrorism incidents on Chinese/ Foreigners/ Japanese 2020-2024 is as under:
Apprising the House about measures having been taken by the government to mitigate such incidents in the future, it was informed that all Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) related to Chinese/ Foreigners working on CPEC/Non-CPEC and scattered Chinese have been revised.
The National Action Plan (NAP), encompassing both kinetic and non-kinetic policy measures, is the mainstay of CT strategy. The regular reappraisal is carried out to counter the prevailing threats.
Well-coordinated intelligence-based operations (IBOs) are carried out throughout the country to neutralize militants’ networks/ cells.
Similarly, a total of 2,208 Intelligence-Based Operations (IBOs) were conducted during the first quarter of year 2024 and in the corresponding period 89 terrorists were killed and 328 were arrested.
The border fencing along with surveillance of unfrequented routes is being carried out to deny infiltration of militants and move of weapons / material used by terrorist organizations.
It was further told that Pakistan has taken steps to curb the financing of terrorist activities by implementing measures to track and stop illicit financial flows.
The National Counter Violent Extremism Policy (NCVEP-2024) has been drafted and awaiting approval of the Federal Cabinet.
Likewise, the Provincial Apex Committees on Internal Security review the prevailing challenges to initiate counter measures.
The National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA) is countering extremist narratives and propagating Pakistan’s national narrative against extremism and terrorism in coordination with all stakeholders.
Additionally, a Fusion Centre has been established in NACTA to share actionable information with Counter Terrorism Departments and other Law Enforcement Agencies.
