Karachi Courts Issue Warrants for Terrorists Targeting Chinese

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Anti-Terrorism Courts in Karachi issued non-bailable arrest warrants for fugitive terrorists linked to attacks on Chinese nationals, signaling a firm response to threats against Pakistan’s allies.

On August 4, 2025, Anti-Terrorism Courts (ATCs) in Karachi issued non-bailable arrest warrants for several fugitive terrorists implicated in two separate attacks targeting Chinese nationals in the city. The first case involved a suicide bombing near Jinnah International Airport in October 2024, which killed two Chinese engineers and one Pakistani, injuring several others. The investigating officer informed the court that the alleged masterminds, Bashir Baloch and Abdul Rehman, affiliated with the banned Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), are believed to be hiding in Balochistan. The court, after reviewing the officer’s report, ordered the suspects’ arrest and production at the next hearing, with official letters sent to the Home Department to aid the manhunt. The second case, heard at the Karachi Central Jail’s Anti-Terrorism Complex, addressed a 2022 suicide attack at Karachi University, which killed three Chinese instructors and their Pakistani driver.

The October 2024 attack, claimed by the BLA’s Majeed Brigade, targeted a convoy of the Port Qasim Electric Power Company, a key China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project. The Chinese Embassy condemned the attack, urging Pakistan to investigate thoroughly and enhance security for Chinese citizens and projects. Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in response, vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice, emphasizing the deep Pakistan-China partnership. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to the safety of Chinese nationals, stating that such attacks aim to undermine bilateral ties.

These warrants underscore Pakistan’s resolve to combat terrorism targeting its strategic ally. The BLA, which opposes Chinese investments like the CPEC, has repeatedly attacked Chinese interests, including a 2018 assault on Beijing’s consulate in Karachi. The recent court actions follow a July 2025 operation by the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD), which eliminated three Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) terrorists, including Zafran, linked to a November 2024 attack on Chinese engineers. The ongoing efforts reflect Pakistan’s determination to protect foreign nationals and maintain stability amid rising militant threats, ensuring justice for victims and security for critical economic projects.