Technical Note
THE SECURITY DIMENSION OF THE BELT AND ROAD: A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF THREATS TO CHINESE NATIONALS AND BUSINESSES IN PAKISTAN
INDUSTRY :-
AREA :BUSINESS GOVT/INTERNATIONAL ECONOMY
ORGANIZATION :-
LENGTH :12
LUMS No :16-315-2018-2
PUBLICATION YEAR : 2018
ABSTRACT:
China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has tremendous potential to transform regional dynamics in terms of socio-economic development, trade and politics. However, looming security threats from extremist Islamist and ethnocentric groups in Pakistan, and some foreign powers are alleged to be involved in trying to sabotage CPEC. Threats of violence against Chinese individuals, businesses, and CPEC warrant an urgent policy response in terms of strategic security to address issues of physical and ideological vulnerabilities. The current approach by Pakistani government is largely focused on physical security and protective intelligence with limited attention to ideological roots of violence. In this note, a critical overview of security threats facing China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in Pakistan is discussed with a focus on the CPEC and a comprehensive account of attacks on Chinese nationals and businesses from 2001 to 2017 which have increased Chinese concerns about CPEC’s security. The note identifies Takfiri Islamists or Khawarij (Taliban and affiliates) and ethnic Baloch separatists as two major groups posing a threat to CPEC. The analysis demonstrates that the much-publicised socio-economic benefits of CPEC may not be fully realised unless both forms of militancy are addressed through a multipronged security policy. The note may guide government and security officials, and policy makers in Pakistan and China to direct their attention to the threats posed to BRI in Pakistan. It may also help readers to understand the security aspects and requirements of engaging with Chinese individuals and businesses in Pakistan.