Chinese Firm Closes Operations in Pakistan, 2,000 Workers Laid Off for ‘Security Reasons’

Following the death of five Chinese nationals in a suicide attack at a hydropower project in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in Pakistan, a Chinese company Power Construction Corporation of China (PCCC) suspended its civil works and laid off around 2000 workers at another hydropower project in the same province.

These five Chinese nationals, working on the Dasu hydropower project, were among the six persons killed on Tuesday when an explosives-packed vehicle driven by a suicide bomber crashed into their bus in Bisham district.

No terrorist group has claimed responsibility for the suicide bombing.

The Chinese company, Power Construction Corporation of China (PCCC), has suspended civil works at the Tarbela 5th Extension Hydropower Project of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The company also fired over 2,000 workers for security reasons after the killing of Chinese nationals in a suicide attack in Shangla district, reported the Dawn newspaper.

Thousands of Chinese citizens are working in Pakistan on several projects as part of the $60 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.