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In yet another occurrence of the targeted killing of Chinese nationals in Pakistan, questions are raised about grave security lapses. The latest incident happened last month when a suicide bomber rammed his explosive-laden vehicle on a convoy in a remote district of Kohistan in the northwestern province where a key hydroelectric dam is being constructed. Five Chinese workers were killed.

This was the third major attack in little over a week on China's interests in different parts of the country and compounded Pakistan’s national security challenges. The growing incidents of the targeted killings of Chinese nationals also carries serious geopolitical implications. Thousands of Chinese workers are engaged in multi-billion dollar infrastructure projects in the country under the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) initiative.

Pakistani officials assert that the attacks were part of an attempt to disrupt its “all-weather” friendship with China. The two countries have long been tied in close strategic alliance and their relationship has further strengthened over the years with China having invested more than $65 billion in various development projects. The increasing incidents of attacks on Chinese nationals working on those projects is alarming and seem to be part of a plan to force Beijing to pull out.

While expressing its concern over the safety of its nationals and calling on the Pakistan........

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