The two primary security concerns for the China Pakistan Economic Corridor are terrorist activities that include targeted killings of Chinese nationals on Pakistani soil, and natural disasters, mostly triggered by global climate change. The CPEC is a significant initiative aimed at enhancing economic cooperation between China and Pakistan. It involves large-scale infrastructure development, including roads, railways, ports, and energy projects. Given its scale and importance, ensuring the security of CPEC projects is crucial. CPEC has far-reaching significance for Pakistan, promoting economic growth, infrastructure development, energy security, job creation, regional connectivity, and strategic positioning. However, successful implementation requires careful management of security risks, economic policies, and regional diplomacy.

Terrorist attacks on Chinese workers inside Pakistan pose a significant risk to CPEC and the broader China-Pakistan partnership. Addressing these threats requires comprehensive security measures, intelligence coordination, regional stability efforts, and community engagement to reduce the root causes of violence. CPEC projects face threats from various terrorist and militant groups. These groups, often ideologically or politically motivated, may view CPEC as a strategic target to disrupt or use it to draw attention to their causes. The involvement of Chinese personnel in large-scale infrastructure projects, energy projects, and other CPEC-related activities makes them potential targets for terrorist and militant groups.

Groups like the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) have targeted Chinese workers and CPEC projects, claiming to resist perceived exploitation of Baloch resources. The TTP and associated groups have a history of violent attacks in Pakistan, and their agenda may include disrupting CPEC-related activities. Several smaller groups such as the East Turkistan Islamic Movement (ETIM) with varying motives have also target Chinese workers. In April 2022, a suicide bombing at Karachi University targeted Chinese nationals, killing several, including teachers from the Confucius Institute. The BLA claimed responsibility. In July 2021, a bus carrying Chinese workers to the Dasu Hydropower Project in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was attacked, resulting in multiple casualties. More recently, on 26^th March 2024, Five Chinese and one Pakistani national were killed in a terrorist attack near Besham in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

Pakistan has established specialized security units like the Special Security Division (SSD) and the Maritime Security Force (MSF) to protect CPEC projects and personnel. These units are trained to counter terrorism and secure critical infrastructure. These measures include armed escorts, secure transportation, and heightened surveillance. Moreover, enhanced intelligence sharing between Chinese and Pakistani agencies aims to identify and mitigate threats before they materialize. However, attacks on Chinese workers strain the diplomatic relationship between China and Pakistan, requiring a robust response to reassure China of Pakistan’s commitment to CPEC’s security.

Partnership with China is of pivotal importance for Pakistan. Chinese authorities have repeatedly asked their Pakistani counterparts to improve security measures. Enhanced intelligence cooperation between Chinese and Pakistani security agencies helps identify and mitigate threats early. Building trust and cooperation with local communities can reduce the risk of radicalization and provide valuable intelligence on potential threats. The use of technology, such as CCTV cameras, drones, and other surveillance methods, can help monitor critical sites and detect potential security breaches. Promoting regional stability through diplomatic means is also critical. Efforts to foster peace with neighboring countries and engage local stakeholders can reduce the broader security risks associated with terrorism.

Pakistan is also susceptible to a range of natural disasters, including earthquakes, floods, and landslides. Given the geographic scope of CPEC, these risks can pose significant challenges. CPEC projects are designed with resilience in mind. This includes engineering solutions to withstand earthquakes, flood prevention systems, and robust construction techniques. Implementing early warning systems for earthquakes and floods can help prevent significant damage and loss of life. Developing emergency response plans and training personnel to respond to natural disasters can reduce the impact when they occur. Collaboration with local governments and disaster management agencies ensures a coordinated response to natural disasters. Conducting thorough environmental assessments before construction can identify potential risks and help mitigate them.

In summary, the security of CPEC projects from terrorist activities involves specialized security forces, intelligence sharing, community engagement, and technology, while security against natural disasters requires resilient infrastructure, early warning systems, and emergency preparedness. Both require significant collaboration between China and Pakistan, along with regional and community-level efforts. Conduct detailed risk assessments for all CPEC projects to understand the natural disaster threats specific to each region. This includes evaluating earthquake risks, floodplains, landslide-prone areas, and other vulnerabilities. Develop disaster risk management plans tailored to each project, outlining potential hazards, preventive measures, and response protocols. Ensure that infrastructure is designed to withstand seismic activity. This includes using earthquake-resistant materials and engineering techniques in roads, bridges, buildings, and energy installations.