Pakistan terror attack highlights risks Chinese firms face in country
- Saturday’s deadly attack on a hotel in Gwadar has alerted Chinese businesses to the dangers involved in operating in the country
Chinese firms have been reminded of the security risks they face in Pakistan after a deadly attack on a hotel in the port city of Gwadar on Sunday.
Du Youkang, director of the Pakistan research centre at Fudan University in Shanghai, said Chinese firms needed to take the security issue seriously and do all they can to support the work of local security forces.
“Companies need to raise their own awareness but also understand that as they are in this kind of environment they must cooperate with Pakistani forces in their counterterrorism efforts, like allowing inspections [of their facilities],” he said.
The death toll from the attack on the Pearl Continental, which is popular with Chinese businesspeople and officials, rose to five on Sunday, local police chief Munir Ahmad Zia said, and several people were injured.
Four hotel workers and a member of the Pakistani navy were killed and the three attackers were also shot dead by Pakistani troops.
Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan called the attack an act of terrorism, and praised the “initial response by security guards and security forces” for preventing greater loss of life.