Chinese Engineers Killed in Karachi Attack Were Involved in Debt Re-profiling Talks with Govt: Minister

Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb Tuesday said that the Chinese engineers targeted in Karachi were part of the team involved in talks with the government over re-profiling of its debt.  “The ones killed were the IPP engineers with whom Energy Minister Awais Leghari and I were negotiating in terms of our request to re-profile our debt and extend maturities, so that we can reduce power tariff and provide relief to the public,” the minister said in a televised address while offering condolence to the people and the government of China.  It is pertinent to mention here that two Chinese nationals were killed in an explosion near the Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport on Sunday night. The Chinese Embassy in Pakistan said the attack took place at about 11pm on Sunday and targeted the Chinese staff of the Port Qasim Electric Power Company.  The finance minister also said that strikes and agitation were taking a toll on the country’s economy and denting the national exchequer.  “Such actions cost the country around Rs. 190 billion per day, severely affecting economic growth,” the minister said. He urged those calling for strikes to consider their repercussions and instead engage in negotiations to resolve their issues.