Culprits behind Dasu bus attack will meet their fate, Pakistan assures China
Islamabad. August 08, 2021: Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan His Excellency Mr. Nong Rong calling on Minister for Interior Sheikh Rashid Ahmed.
Rawalpindi: Pakistan has assured China that the culprits behind the Dasu bus attack will soon meet their fate.
Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed and Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Nong Rong held a meeting here to discuss the security provided to Chinese nationals in the country.
The Dasu bus blast was discussed at length and the interior minister pledged to punish all the culprits behind the July 14 attack.
It was decided that the investigation into the blast which claimed the lives of more than a dozen people would be completed soon.
The incident had occurred in the remote Barfeen mountainous area of the Upper Kohistan district. In addition to the nine Chinese nationals, four Pakistani citizens, including two Frontier Corps (FC) personnel, the bus driver and a labourer, also died in the blast.
During the meeting, the Chinese envoy and the interior minister also exchanged views on the issues of mutual interest, including the bilateral ties between Pakistan and China.
Ahmed told the Chinese envoy that Pakistan will take measures to ensure foolproof security to Chinese nationals working in Pakistan.
The minister said China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project will not become a ‘victim of any conspiracy,’ adding that no force can become an obstacle in the relations between Pakistan and China.
The Chinese envoy said a number of Chinese companies were working in Pakistan on several projects. He said the Chinese government was thankful to the interior ministry for the provision of facilities to its nationals working in the country.
Top-level agencies, including a 15-member Chinese team, are involved in the investigation process as well. The Chinese Interior Ministry is also on board.
Investigations suggest the attack was planned ahead of the Joint Cooperation Committee meeting of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) which was later postponed.
Prime Minister Imran Khan has also assured a complete and thorough investigation into the Dasu hydropower plant bus explosion in Upper Kohistan.
In a telephone call with his Chinese counterpart Li Keqiang after the incident, the premier vowed to punish the perpetrators of the blast.
