Chinese firm halts Pakistan operations due to threat of terror

A Chinese company has halted its operations at a hydropower project in Pakistan, two days after a bomb attack claimed the lives of five Chinese nationals.

Report informs via foreign media that the Power Construction Corporation of China (PCCC) suspended civil works at the Tarbela 5th Extension Hydropower Project situated in the Khyber Pukhtunkhwa province, and “laid off” over 2,000 workers.

On Tuesday, five Chinese nationals working at the Dasu Hydropower Project were killed along with a Pakistani national when an explosives-laden vehicle rammed into their bus.

There has been no claim of responsibility for the bombing.

The PCCC announced that all site workers and office staff members of the project had been laid off until further notice due to security concerns.

Authorities said they are going to enhance the security of project employees on their demand.

Police said they have already increased security measures around the camps and residences of Chinese nationals working at the project.

The Tarbela 5th Extension Hydropower Project is receiving financial support from the World Bank amounting to $390 million, and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank is providing a loan of $300 million, with the completion date set for May 2026.

In 2021, another attack a few kilometers from the project site left nine Chinese engineers and four Pakistani workers dead.

A court in 2022 issued death penalty for two of the perpetrators of the attack, while four accused were acquitted.