Bisham attack orchestrated by enemies of Pakistan-China friendship: President Zardari

After terrorists targeted a vehicle carrying Chinese nationals in Shangla yesterday, President Asif Ali Zardari on Wednesday assured Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong of action against perpetrators behind the terrorism act.

President Zardari visited the Embassy of the People's Republic of China today and offered condolences on behalf of the government and people of Pakistan over the killing of Chinese citizens in a terrorist attack in Bisham, read a statement issued by the President’s Secretariat.

He strongly condemned yesterday's terrorist attack, saying that the Pakistani nation shared the grief of the Chinese people. He added that the people of Pakistan stood in solidarity with the Chinese people in this hour of grief.

Upon his arrival, President Zardari was received by Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong. The secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was also present on the occasion.

During the meeting, the president said that enemies in the region couldn't accept the fact that Pakistan and China were further strengthening their bilateral ties.

He assured the Chinese envoy that the criminals involved in the gruesome act would be apprehended and brought to justice. He further said that all necessary measures would be taken to ensure the security of the Chinese citizens working on various projects in Pakistan.

The Chinese top diplomat thanked the president for personally visiting the embassy to offer condolences. He appreciated that Pakistanis from all walks of life had condemned the terrorist attack.

Zaidong highlighted that Chinese workers had made outstanding contributions towards Pakistan's socio-economic development. He said that terrorists were enemies of humanity and needed to be hunted down for targeting innocent people.

He underscored the need for increasing counter-terrorism cooperation and providing enhanced security to Chinese workers in Pakistan. The ambassador reiterated his country's resolve to further strengthen cooperation with Pakistan and continue its support for the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and other projects.

While registering his remarks in the visitor's book at the Chinese embassy, President Zardari stated that the inhuman attack struck at the core of shared values and the enduring friendship between the two countries.

"This incident was orchestrated by the enemies of Pakistan-China friendship," he added. He also wrote that Pakistan would never allow terrorists to undermine our shared goals for peace, prosperity and security in the region.

Yesterday, a woman among the five Chinese citizens and a Pakistani driver were killed when their vehicle was attacked in Shangla's Besham city as a suicide bomber crashed his explosives-laden vehicle into the car carrying the victims.