THE dynamics of terrorism threats in Pakistan have shifted significantly since the Taliban took control in Afghanistan, challenging security institutions to develop an effective strategy to address these risks.

The current counterterrorism strategy is seemingly based on a zero-tolerance approach towards all terrorist groups, including religiously motivated terrorists and insurgents. However, this approach has yet to yield productive outcomes, and it has heightened security concerns, especially for foreign nationals in the country. Chinese nationals, in particular, have been targeted twice within six months, and a convoy of foreign diplomats narrowly escaped an attack while visiting Swat in KP. China, facing specific security concerns, has been urging Pakistan to intensify its efforts against terrorist groups that threaten its interests.

China has been using high-level diplomatic channels to convey its security concerns to the Pakistani leadership, initially pushing the latter to announce a comprehensive campaign against terrorism and extremism under the tag of ‘Operation Azm-i-Istehkam’ and then recently by pressuring Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif to announce that he would personally oversee the investigation into last month’s terrorist attack on Chinese nationals in Karachi.

However, these assurances from Pakistan have done little to ease Beijing’s concerns. A recent statement by the Chinese ambassador to Pakistan, Jiang Zaidong, is a reflection of this frustration. At a public seminar, Ambassador Zaidong rebuffed Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, rejecting his praise of China’s patience amid security threats.........

© Dawn