Are relations between 'iron brothers' China and Pakistan rusting? Does China believe that Pakistan can't be trusted to ensure the security of its citizens anymore?
It appears to be so, and it's bad news for Pakistan, especially at a time when international fault-lines are hardening.
A Pakistani lawmaker who recently met Chinese officials said that Beijing is "seriously concerned" and is "understandably indignant" regarding the recent Karachi terror attack, as per media outlet Dawn.
On April 26, a burqa-clad suicide bomber killed 3 Chinese nationals working at the Confucius Institute at the Karachi University. The Balochistan Liberation Army had claimed responsibility for the attack.
Recently, Pakistani senator Mushahid Hussain led a delegation to the Chinese embassy to express condolences over the Karachi incident. Mushahid told Dawn, "Chinese confidence in Pakistan’s security system’s ability to protect their citizens and their projects is seriously shaken. The pattern of attacks is so recurring and it’s clear that Pakistani promises of ‘foolproof security' are mere words, not matched by countermeasures on the ground."
The Karachi attack was the third one on Chinese nationals in Pakistan in a year. Meanwhile, the Pakistani establishment has denied reports that Chinese citizens were leaving en masse from the nation.