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NEW DELHI: Pakistan foreign minister Ishaq Dar is expected to visit China amid the growing safety concern among Chinese firms following the recent terrorist attack in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which killed 5 Chinese engineers.
Dar will make the visit to express solidarity with his counterpart and discuss the prevailing situation, reported news agency ANI citing the Balochistan Post.
In the wake of the suicide blast which took place on March 26 in Bisham city of Shangla district, Chinese firm Harbin Electric International Company Limited (HEI) halted the work linked to the Dasu Hydropower Project.
The HEI issued a “force majeure notification, expressing serious safety concern in Pakistan” and stopped the work on the 765 kV transmission line associated with the hydropower project.
The project manager has stressed that the adverse effects of the attack on the site progress could potentially result in additional delays or even a complete suspension of the work.
“A suicide bomber rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into a convoy of foreign nationals that was on its way from Islamabad to their camp in Dasu, Shangla,” the report quoted the district inspector general (DIG) of Malakand as saying on April 4.
The attack not only brought the project to a standstill but also sparked concerns among international businesses over the safety of their employees in the area.
Concerns have surfaced regarding the financial repercussions of the delay, given that the project is already behind schedule as per agreements with the World Bank, reported the Balochistan Post.
Meanwhile, Dasu’s chief engineer and project director has sought legal advice on how to proceed in light of HEI’s concerns, while noting the need to ensure smooth project execution without further dela\
The recent setback highlights Pakistan’s glaring incapability in handling security challenges in safeguarding crucial infrastructure projects and protecting foreign workers and investments.
Dar will make the visit to express solidarity with his counterpart and discuss the prevailing situation, reported news agency ANI citing the Balochistan Post.
In the wake of the suicide blast which took place on March 26 in Bisham city of Shangla district, Chinese firm Harbin Electric International Company Limited (HEI) halted the work linked to the Dasu Hydropower Project.
The HEI issued a “force majeure notification, expressing serious safety concern in Pakistan” and stopped the work on the 765 kV transmission line associated with the hydropower project.
The project manager has stressed that the adverse effects of the attack on the site progress could potentially result in additional delays or even a complete suspension of the work.
“A suicide bomber rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into a convoy of foreign nationals that was on its way from Islamabad to their camp in Dasu, Shangla,” the report quoted the district inspector general (DIG) of Malakand as saying on April 4.
The attack not only brought the project to a standstill but also sparked concerns among international businesses over the safety of their employees in the area.
Concerns have surfaced regarding the financial repercussions of the delay, given that the project is already behind schedule as per agreements with the World Bank, reported the Balochistan Post.
Meanwhile, Dasu’s chief engineer and project director has sought legal advice on how to proceed in light of HEI’s concerns, while noting the need to ensure smooth project execution without further dela\
The recent setback highlights Pakistan’s glaring incapability in handling security challenges in safeguarding crucial infrastructure projects and protecting foreign workers and investments.
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