In a stark display of capitulation, Pakistan has rolled out a bespoke security division to protect Chinese nationals, elevating them above domestic priorities amid a militant onslaught. The Diplomat details how this unit, announced by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi in early 2026, responds to Beijing’s insistent demands.
Years of deadly hits on Chinese-led infrastructure—spearheaded by TTP in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and BLA in Balochistan—have forced Islamabad’s hand. The January 31 Balochistan carnage, where coordinated bombings and shootings felled dozens of Pakistani troops, laid bare the state’s impotence.
China’s retort has been unequivocal: allow our armed personnel on Pakistani soil. Proposals for Chinese security firms and military garrisons in Gwadar test Pakistan’s red lines, yet the new unit signals willingness to compromise.
Post-2021 Afghan Taliban victory, Beijing has ramped up its regional ambitions, filling the vacuum left by America’s drawdown. Paradoxically, this has boomeranged, drawing unified ire from terror networks that view China as an imperialist intruder.
From Pakistan’s restive provinces to adjacent Afghanistan and Tajikistan, Chinese assets face mounting peril. Workers bear the brunt, with attacks escalating in frequency and ferocity.
Desperate to secure investments, Pakistan prioritizes Chinese lives, a move that irks locals and underscores dependency. Beijing exploits this leverage, fortifying its presence since mid-2025.
As concessions mount, Pakistan walks a tightrope: retain vital funding without eroding sovereignty entirely. The saga illustrates shifting power dynamics, where economic lifelines dictate security protocols, portending turbulent times ahead for the corridor of cooperation.