Pakistan Assures Foolproof Security To Chinese Workers

Federal Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid said that Pakistan has assured foolproof security to Chinese workers at the request of the government of China.

Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, he said that China is our closest friend. The Prime Minister directed the Foreign Minister to visit China the next day. The Prime Minister also asked the Interior Ministry to increase the security of the Chinese people.

He said that a 15-member team from China arrived here yesterday and visited the site along with additional secretaries and others.

He said that the government assures China that we will never forgive the enemies of the Pak-China friendship.

He said that the friendship between Pakistan and China is eternal and it cannot make any difference.

Sheikh Rashid said that the Chinese Interior Minister contacted me on the instructions of the Chinese President and I conveyed the instructions of the Prime Minister and the sentiments of the Pakistani government and nation to him.

He said that the Foreign Ministry would give a better briefing regarding the meeting of Afghan President Ashraf Ghani with the Prime Minister.

He said that the peace of Pakistan is related to the peace of Afghanistan and we are trying our best to bring peace to Afghanistan.

Talking about the issue of issuance of fake passports and identity cards, he said that 8 people involved in issuing fake passports have been arrested and instructions have been issued across the country to expel the holders of fake identity cards. Special time should be given to them and they should be able to return without any penalty.

He said that he would go to Azad Kashmir with the Prime Minister after the press conference and hoped that the PTI government would be formed in Azad Kashmir.

Investigation Confirms Traces Of Explosion In Dassu Incident: Fawad Chaudhry

Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry said that initial investigations into the Dassu incident have now confirmed traces of explosives.

In a message on Twitter, he said, “Terrorism cannot be ruled out, PM is personally supervising all developments, in this regard Govt is in close coordination with the Chinese embassy we are committed to fight the menace of terrorism together.”

Bus ‘Accident’: 12 killed, Including 9 Chinese Engineers

At least 12 people, including nine engineers and two Frontier Corps (FC) personnel, were killed and several others injured in an attack near the Dasu hydropower plant in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Upper Kohistan district.

Initial reports from officials revealed contradictions, but Babar Awan, the prime minister’s adviser on parliamentary affairs, called it a “cowardly attack” in the National Assembly and said it would lead to “special measures between Pakistan and its neighbours.”

Hours later, the Foreign Office denied reports of an attack, saying the bus had fallen into a ditch due to “technical glitches”, which resulted in a gas leak and an explosion.

Kamran Bangash, Special Assistant to the Chief Minister for Information, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, in a statement to the media, said, “A high-level delegation has left for Upper Kohistan. We will brief the people and media on the ground realities.”

Conflicting information

Immediately after the incident, Upper Kohistan Deputy Commissioner Arif Khan Yousafzai said that the incident took place around 7.30 am when a bus carrying 30 workers from camp to the plant site.

He said that local engineers, including Frontier Corps personnel, were on board the bus when the incident took place.

The Foreign Office later said in a statement that the bus fell into a ditch due to a mechanical malfunction, which resulted in a gas leak and an explosion.

“Pakistan and China are close friends. Pakistan attaches great importance to the safety of Chinese citizens, projects and institutions,” the statement said