Facing a barrage of terrorist strikes, Pakistan has launched a new elite protection squad tailored specifically for Chinese expatriates, sidelining its own citizens’ safety in the process. This favoritism highlights Islamabad’s frantic efforts to placate its top financial backer amid eroding control.
According to The Diplomat, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi unveiled the unit in January 2026, years after relentless attacks by TTP and BLA on CPEC projects in volatile border regions. The force’s singular mission: shield Chinese workers from the violence that’s claimed countless lives.
The catalyst was a brutal January 31 BLA assault in Balochistan, blending suicide blasts with gunfire that wiped out scores of Pakistani security forces. Such incidents have amplified Beijing’s impatience, with the Chinese Communist Party pushing for permission to deploy private armed guards and even station troops in strategic hubs like Gwadar.
Pakistan’s hesitation to fully comply speaks volumes about its sovereignty concerns, yet the special unit formation marks a significant concession. Since the 2021 Taliban resurgence in Afghanistan, China has aggressively pursued regional dominance, exploiting U.S. retreat—but at a steep cost.
Chinese personnel are now prime targets for a spectrum of insurgents united in anti-Beijing sentiment, despite varying ideologies. Attacks have proliferated not just in Pakistan but across Afghanistan and Tajikistan, endangering workers, businesses, and diplomatic outposts.
Islamabad’s strategy aims to stem the outflow of Chinese funds critical to its economy. By elevating Chinese safety above all, Pakistan buys time, but risks fueling local resentment. Beijing, sensing weakness, is methodically expanding its footprint, turning investment pledges into ironclad security guarantees.
This uneasy alliance teeters on the edge, as militancy surges and Pakistan’s internal frailties deepen. The implications extend far beyond bilateral ties, potentially igniting broader instability in Central and South Asia.