Islamabad: Pakistan's Prime Minister has taken decisive action following the tragic suicide bombing that claimed the lives of five Chinese engineers at a dam site in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province last month. In response to the attack, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered the punishment of at least five senior police officials for negligence in their duties, as confirmed by the country's Information Minister on Saturday.

The bombing, which occurred at the construction sites of the Dasu and Diamer Bhasha dams, resulted in the suspension of work by Power China and the China Gezhouba Company. The blast killed five Chinese workers and a Pakistani driver, leading to heightened security concerns for the hundreds of Chinese nationals employed at these projects.

Minister of Information Attaullah Tarar stated that a committee appointed by Prime Minister Sharif has identified a regional official, three district officials, and the director of security at the Dasu dam project for their negligence. The Prime Minister has ordered immediate action against these officials, with a promise to personally oversee the security of Chinese nationals. Tarar emphasized that any lapses in security will not be tolerated and those responsible will be held accountable.

While operations by Power China have resumed at the Diamer Bhasha dam, work at the Dasu site remains suspended. Pakistani authorities have detained over 12 individuals, including Afghan nationals, in connection with the bombing.

The relationship between Pakistan and China is characterized by strong economic ties, with China investing significant sums in Pakistani infrastructure projects. However, there have been longstanding grievances among Pakistanis regarding the distribution of jobs and wealth from these projects.

Ensuring the security of Chinese workers has become a top priority for both nations, particularly in light of frequent attacks by militants opposed to foreign influence. The recent bombing follows a foiled attempt by militants to breach security at the Gwadar deepwater port, a crucial hub for Chinese investment in Pakistan.

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