Communication Minister Babar Khan Ghauri has said that the perpetrators of bomb blast that killed three Chinese engineers and injured others are common enemies of Pakistan and China.
"We are determined to co-operate in catching and exposing them," he said in an interview to APP in Beijing. A handful of elements wanted to harm their growing bilateral economic co-operation, particularly creating hurdle in smooth construction of Gwadar seaport, he added.
Ghauri, who arrived here on Friday, accompanying the bodies of three engineers, said the government and the people of Pakistan will never allow a few terrorists to undermine their decades' old deep-rooted friendship and co-operation.
He reassured his Chinese counterpart Zhang Chunxian during a meeting held here on Saturday that the government of Pakistan would do its utmost providing necessary security to the Chinese nationals working in Pakistan.
The security measures have already been upgraded in Gwadar and other parts of Balochistan, he said. The law enforcement agencies were engaged in finding the perpetrators of the terrorist act, who, he said, would be given exemplary punishment.
SPECIAL MONUMENT: He said a special monument would be built as a mark of respect for the Chinese engineers who became the victim of the explosion.
The monument to be built at the site of the incident will be a standing tribute to their services that they rendered in construction of Gwadar seaport, a high profile project in the country, the minister added.
"The Pakistan government holds those in high esteem, who lost their lives while serving our national cause," he said, adding, "we consider them as our heroes."
During the meeting, Ghauri conveyed deep sense of shock and grief to the Chinese side on behalf of the government and the people of Pakistan.
While reciprocating the sentiments, the Chinese minister conveyed special thanks to President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali for their personal care in treating the injured and handling the maters relating to the tragic incident.
He reassured that the Chinese engineers and workers would be working with same spirit and zeal for completion of the Gwadar project by the end of this year. China, he said, "is prepared to further expand the areas of bilateral co-operation in the communication sector."
Ghauri said Pakistan highly valued the contribution made by the Chinese people in their national development. "The resumption of work at the Gwadar port reflects the sincerity of the Chinese side, as well as their existing close and abiding friendship."
The bodies of three Chinese nationals arrived in their hometown, Tianjin, some 100 kilometre's away from the capital by a C-130 special aircraft.
Pakistan Ambassador to China Riaz Mohammad Khan also accompanied the coffins in order to share the grief of their Chinese friends. He also visited the local hospital to enquire about the health of the injured Chinese.