Fears of Losing Sovereignty by Allowing Chinese Troops on Its Soil
If Pakistan formally agrees to the Chinese demand, it will be the first instance in which a nuclear weapons-possessing country jeopardizes its sovereignty by allowing security personnel from another country. This plan comes at a time when several human rights organizations have accused Pakistan of compromising its territorial sovereignty to China in Balochistan after the Gwadar port was fenced and restricted for local access. After consecutive attacks on Chinese nationals in Pakistan, Beijing can now pressure Islamabad to accept its demand or face consequences.
Pakistan is totally dependent on the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, and other international financial institutions for economic survival. Any military concession to China may seriously worry Western countries and affect their support for Islamabad. Moreover, Pakistan owes China nearly USD 30 billion, 23 percent of its total debt.
Last month’s bombing at Karachi airport, which killed two Chinese engineers returning to work on a project, was the latest in a series of attacks on Beijing’s interests in Pakistan. These attacks, along with Islamabad’s failure to deter them, have angered China, prompting it to push Pakistan to commence formal negotiations for a joint security management system. Under the proposed plan, the Chinese government seeks to provide its own security in Pakistan. Reports indicate that, so far, Pakistan has not agreed to such a step. However, it is searching for a plan that appears less embarrassing for the Pakistan military.
Beijing may send private military contractors (PMCs) instead of People’s Liberation Army (PLA) personnel in the initial phase and can increase troop numbers in later phases. Last week, Pakistan’s interior ministry confirmed that both sides agreed to develop a “joint strategy” to prevent terror attacks against Chinese nationals. Since Pakistan’s armed forces are struggling to improve security in the country, the proposed Chinese forces may conduct anti-terror operations in border provinces like Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa under the guise of safeguarding Chinese nationals. This could result in casualties among Pakistani citizens, particularly ethnic minorities such as the Baloch and Pashtuns.
Understanding the plan’s grave sensitivity, both sides are drafting it very carefully to avoid criticism from local and international human rights groups. Beijing has recently sent a written proposal to Islamabad and forwarded it to Pakistani security agencies for review. The proposal mentions a clause allowing the deployment of security agencies and military forces into each other’s territory to assist in counterterrorism missions and conduct joint strikes. Although the dispatch of security forces will reportedly occur after bilateral discussions, Beijing holds the upper hand in this relationship. In addition to increasing troop presence in Pakistan, the Chinese government will also require its officials to attend high-level security meetings in Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
Furthermore, Islamabad has requested Beijing to enhance its intelligence and surveillance capabilities, which will directly affect the privacy and individual freedom of people in Pakistan. Since most CPEC projects are based in Balochistan, including the Gwadar port, there are significant concerns among locals that the Pakistan military will permit a greater presence of Chinese security forces and their surveillance capabilities in the province. Notably, thousands of Pakistani security officers from the army, police, and a dedicated force called the Special Protection Unit are already stationed to guard Chinese nationals, mostly in Balochistan. More worryingly, these private military contractors or official security personnel from China will be immune to local laws in Pakistan, allowing them to commit human rights violations without facing legal consequences.
Last month, during a public seminar, the Chinese ambassador to Pakistan, Jiang Zaidong, issued a rare warning, accusing Islamabad of ongoing security failures regarding Chinese workers. Analysts noted that these comments reflect China’s growing frustration with the security risks its workers face in Pakistan. Jiang stated that the violence is “unacceptable” and creates “a constraint” on Chinese investments in Pakistan under the Belt and Road Initiative. Additionally, Jiang referenced suicide car bombings in March and October of this year, which resulted in the deaths of seven Chinese personnel. These remarks represent a rare public criticism of Islamabad. The Foreign Ministry of Pakistan described the envoy’s statements as “perplexing” and “inconsistent” with the diplomatic traditions between the two countries, marking an unprecedented response.
China has become increasingly vocal in criticizing Pakistan for its inability to protect Chinese nationals from attacks. In June, President Xi warned Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to ensure the safety of Chinese personnel and projects for successful bilateral business collaboration. Furthermore, most official delegations from China have cited security concerns as a key obstacle to advancing CPEC projects. While Islamabad has shown reluctance to allow Chinese security personnel in Pakistan, the Karachi terror attack has intensified the debate on a joint security mechanism between the two countries.
Local human rights activists and some political leaders in Pakistan have raised significant concerns regarding the plan. They believe that the presence of Chinese troops in Pakistan will completely lose the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. It will also embarrass the Pakistani military domestically and internationally and compromise its security infrastructure. More concerning is the possibility that Beijing could retaliate against the Baloch and Pashtun people for the recent terrorist attacks on Chinese nationals in Pakistan.
