Pakistan vows to bring airport attack culprits to justice

KARACHI: Pakistan on Monday vowed to spare no effort in bringing the culprits of airport attack that killed Chinese nationals to justice.

The deadly explosion claimed lives of three persons including two Chinese nationals at a traffic signal near Jinnah International Airport on Sunday night. One Chinese national and 16 others people got wounded in the incident.

Sources told Geo News that the sound of the explosion was heard in various parts of the metropolis at 11pm, with television footage showing massive thick clouds of smoke and a blazing fire from the site.

In a statement, the Foreign Office condemned the terrorist attack and extended condolences and sympathies to the families of the victims, both Chinese and Pakistani. The FO spokesperson also offered prayers for the swift recovery of the injured.

“This deplorable act of terrorism is an attack not only on Pakistan but also on the enduring friendship between Pakistan and China. We remain resolute in bringing to justice those responsible for this cowardly attack, including the Majeed Brigade.

“Pakistan’s security and law enforcement agencies will spare no effort in apprehending the perpetrators and their facilitators. This barbaric act will not go unpunished,” the FO said.

The statement said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was in close contact with the Chinese embassy for coordination and facilitation.

“Pakistan and China are close partners and iron-brothers, united by a bond of mutual respect and shared destiny. Pakistan reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the safety and security of Chinese nationals, projects, and institutions in Pakistan, and will continue to work hand in hand with our Chinese brothers to defeat the forces of terror,” it said.

Condemning the attack, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the perpetrators of this dastardly incident could not be Pakistanis but were the sworn enemies of Pakistan.

Expressing his deep shock and sadness over the incident, the prime minister offered his heartfelt condolences to the leadership and the people of China, particularly the families of the victims.

The prime minister, in a statement on X, also prayed for the early recovery of the injured. He said that an immediate investigation was underway to identify the perpetrators and bring them to justice.

“Pakistan stands committed to safeguarding our Chinese friends. We will leave no stone unturned to ensure their security and well-being,” he assured.

The Chinese embassy said a convoy from the Port Qasim Electric Power Company was attacked near the airport.

"The Chinese Embassy and Consulates General in Pakistan strongly condemn this terrorist attack, express deep condolences to the innocent victims of both countries and sincere sympathies to the injured and (their) families," the statement said.

The Chinese side had been working with Pakistani authorities in the aftermath, said the embassy.

Condemning the killing of the Chinese nationals, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said: "We share the grief of the deceased Chinese citizens' families," he said in a statement, praying for early recovery of those injured in the incident.

The interior minister said that those responsible for the blast would not be able to escape from the clutches of the law.

The cowardly enemy made a heinous conspiracy to harm Pakistan-China friendship, he added.

Meanwhile, investigation sources told Geo News that a small car was used in the kamikaze attack on foreigners.

The sources said the suicide bomber lay in wait for the foreign nationals’ convoy to get out of the airport. As soon as the convoy left the airport premises, the suicide bomber rammed his vehicle into the convoy.

"The car [of the attacker] has been completely destroyed as it was carrying explosives. The authorities are trying to obtain the car's number place, engine, and chassis number," the sources added.

An injured woman of the mishap told Geo News that she along with her son and grandson was passing by on a motorcycle when the explosion happened.

“Police and other law enforcers personnel were travelling ahead of us when the blast took place,” she maintained.

In a statement, Malir Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) said a huge explosion took place near the airport’s traffic signal. Initial reports suggested that an oil tanker blew up, engulfing a number of vehicles present at the site, the police official said.

The explosion damaged 12 vehicles including a police mobile van.

Later, the authorities made a major breakthrough in the investigation as they found the record of the vehicle used in the attack.

The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) records details, the car was registered under the name of Shah Fahd, who is a resident of Balochistan's Noshki area.

The details of the vehicle were obtained through the car's chassis number.

After the development, the scope of investigation has been expanded to Balochistan.

Moreover, a notification was issued by the authorities for the suspension of a deputy superintendent of police (DSP) level official, who was deputed on the Special Branch's ASU and China Desk at the Jinnah International Airport.

The DSP was responsible for monitoring the movement of Chinese nationals in the city. 

Mohsin Naqvi visits Chinese embassy

Meanwhile, the security czar visited the Chinese Embassy to express deep sorrow over the tragic death of Chinese nationals in the explosion.

During his meeting with Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong, Naqvi briefed him on the details of the incident and the progress in the ongoing investigation.

“We stand united with the Chinese government and the bereaved families in this difficult time,” said Naqvi, emphasising that the entire Pakistani nation shares in the grief of their Chinese brothers.

He vowed that comprehensive investigations would be conducted so that those responsible for the heinous attack are brought to justice.

Naqvi termed the incident an intolerable attempt to damage the longstanding Pakistan-China friendship, calling it a cowardly conspiracy.

He reiterated that such acts would not succeed and that Pakistan’s top priority is the safety of Chinese citizens working for the country’s development.

“This was not just an attack on Chinese nationals but an attack on Pakistan itself,” Naqvi declared, promising a strong response to the perpetrators.

'China to continue supporting Pakistan'

The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, in a statement today, expressed deep concerns over the attack on the Chinese citizens in Karachi and condemned the terrorist attack.

Terrorism is a joint enemy of humanity and the attempts of terrorist powers would not be successful to dent Pakistan and China's bilateral cooperation and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the statement read.

The Chinese foreign ministry vowed that Beijing would continue supporting Islamabad in counter-terrorism efforts. The spokesperson added that Beijing was ready to work with Islamabad to foil any attempts to sabotage bilateral ties.

Subsequently, the spokesperson said that an emergency response mechanism had been activated at the Chinese foreign ministry, embassy in Pakistan and consulates to monitor the situation immediately after the attack.

Beijing has requested Pakistani officials to provide maximum assistance to the wounded.

The Chinese government has also demanded Pakistan to launch a thorough investigation into the terrorist attack and bring the culprits to justice. Additionally, Beijing also asked Islamabad to adopt effective measures to protect Chinese citizens, projects and institutions.

Govt fully mobilised to swiftly identify culprits: PM

PM Shehbaz Sharif also visited the Chinese Embassy, where he met the Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong to offer his heartfelt condolences over the loss of Chinese citizens’ lives in a terrorist attack in Karachi.

The premier expressed deep sorrow and anger over the loss of Chinese citizens in the terrorist attack.

"The government is fully mobilised to swiftly identify those responsible for this incident," he said.

He assured that after identifying those responsible, they will be brought to justice without delay.

"The protection of the lives and property of our Chinese brothers in Pakistan is our top priority," he added.

Premier Shehbaz emphasised the government will not tolerate this heinous conspiracy aimed at damaging Pakistan-China relations.

He said he will personally monitor the investigation of this incident assuring that security arrangements for foreign nationals would be further strengthened.

The Chinese envoy expressed gratitude to the prime minister for the swift response and the initiation of investigations following the terrorist incident in Karachi.

Zaidong expressed confidence in the Pakistani government for effective investigations, swift identification of the responsible terrorists, and ensuring that they are brought to justice promptly.

He hoped that those responsible for this incident will be punished as soon as possible.

Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, and senior officials from relevant departments were present at the meeting.

With additional input from APP