Pakistan: In response to the recent deadly attack on Chinese nationals, a Chinese company has suspended civil works at the Tarbela 5th Extension Hydropower Project in Pakistan. The attack, which occurred in the Shangla district, resulted in the deaths of five Chinese engineers working on the Dasu Dam project.
The attack, carried out by a suicide bomber on the Karakoram Highway in the Bisham area, has prompted heightened security concerns for Chinese workers in the region. Following the incident, the Power Construction Corporation of China, the company overseeing the Tarbela project, announced the suspension of all civil works and the “lay off” of over 2,000 workers.
The project’s manager stated that the decision was made due to security reasons and that only staff members called by the heads of their respective sections would continue to work. He also assured that workers laid off would receive half of their salaries until further notice.
The Tarbela 5th Extension Hydropower Project, with a capacity of 1530 megawatts, is a significant infrastructure development project in Pakistan. It is being supported by the World Bank and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, with completion originally slated for May 2026.
This is not the first attack targeting Chinese workers in the region. A similar attack occurred in July 2021 near the Dasu Dam site, resulting in the deaths of nine Chinese engineers and four Pakistani workers.
In response to the security concerns, authorities have announced plans to enhance security measures for project employees. The suspension of work is not expected to cause a significant delay in the project’s completion, according to Wapda officials.
The situation remains tense as investigations into the attack continue, and authorities work to ensure the safety of Chinese workers involved in infrastructure projects in Pakistan.
