Islamabad, February 21: Pakistan’s decision to establish a dedicated security unit to protect Chinese nationals has drawn sharp international attention, with a report in The Diplomat describing the move as a clear indication of Islamabad yielding to Beijing’s demands.
In early January 2026, Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi announced the creation of a special security force tasked exclusively with safeguarding Chinese citizens working in the country. The move follows years of persistent militant attacks targeting Chinese workers and infrastructure projects linked to Beijing’s investments.
The report suggests that by prioritising Chinese security concerns, Pakistan is signalling its urgency to retain support from its largest economic partner. It notes that China, in turn, is leveraging Islamabad’s fragile position to expand its strategic footprint in the region rather than scaling back involvement.
Since the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan in 2021, militant violence across the region has intensified. Groups such as the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) have repeatedly targeted Chinese-backed projects in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. Hostility towards Chinese interests has also surfaced in Afghanistan and Tajikistan.
The report further highlights claims by Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) that attacks on Chinese nationals are reprisals linked to Beijing’s policies in Xinjiang.
Security concerns escalated after a major assault by the BLA on January 31 in Balochistan, which reportedly killed dozens of Pakistani security personnel. Amid these developments, Beijing has reportedly pressed Islamabad to allow deployment of Chinese security personnel to protect its nationals and even proposed stationing forces in Gwadar. However, Pakistan is said to be cautious about conceding further sovereignty.
The developments underscore the complex security and geopolitical dynamics shaping Pakistan-China relations.
