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Pakistan
This Week in AsiaGeopolitics

China’s Huawei protests after Pakistan authorities tear down security barriers at its Islamabad office

  • City officials say the structures, commonly found outside high-rise buildings, are encroaching on government land
  • However, Huawei says its workers are at risk, pointing to recent attacks on Chinese nationals and interests in Pakistan

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Huawei has 1,600 employees working in Pakistan, 144 of which are Chinese nationals. Photo: AFP
Kaswar Klasra
Embattled Chinese firm Huawei has been caught in the crosshairs of Pakistan’s crackdown on illegal structures after authorities tore down security barriers at the telecommunications giant’s offices in Islamabad, saying they encroached on state land.

Enforcement teams from the Capital Development Authority (CDA) on May 15 removed the barriers and other structures from high-rise buildings, including the tower housing Huawei’s office, in the Blue Area business hub.

The management of Huawei’s Pakistani operations reacted furiously, according to a senior executive, who pointed to the threat faced by Chinese interests in the country, especially after attacks in the province of Balochistan and last year’s raid on China’s consulate in Karachi.

Huawei’s Islamabad offices are in the 14-storey Saudi Pak Tower. The tower’s management tried to prevent the security barriers’ removal, but police teams assisting the CDA ensured the task was completed.

“CDA teams stormed the Saudi Pak Tower in the afternoon on Wednesday and tore down the security check room without prior notice,” a management spokesman said. “The security check room ensured the safety of the entire building, which is home to the offices of a number of foreign companies, including Huawei.”

According to a senior employee at Huawei Pakistan, the surprise raid prompted the company to evacuate its staff in a rush. The employee, who said he was not authorised to speak publicly on the matter, said this affected the company’s operations.

“CDA’s action today has sent shockwaves through Huawei officials and workers,” he said. “Considering the rising risk of recent terrorist attacks, this behaviour also further increases foreign companies’ concerns about security risks involved in doing business in Pakistan.”

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