ISLAMABAD, 25 July 2021, (TON): Pakistan and China promised to expose the culprits behind the deadly Dasu bus incident and give them "exemplary punishment" while vowing to take measures to prevent the recurrence of such incidents.

Read a joint statement after talks between Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in Beijing "both sides expressed their firm resolve to expose the culprits and their reprehensible designs through the ongoing joint investigation, give exemplary punishment to the perpetrators, ensure comprehensive safety and security of the Chinese projects, nationals and institutions, and prevent recurrence of such incidents."

On July 14, at least 13 people including nine Chinese nationals were killed in an incident that was initially termed an accident but the joint statement made it clear that it was a terrorist attack.

The incident raised questions about the future of Chinese investment in Pakistan. But the joint readout suggested that the two sides were not deterred by the bus attack as the Pakistan side promised comprehensive security for the Chinese nationals.

According to the joint statement, both sides vehemently condemned the terrorist attack in Dasu which caused loss of precious lives and injuries to the Pakistani and Chinese workers.

The Pakistan side conveyed its profound condolences and sympathies to the bereaved families, emphasised that the sacrifices of Chinese nationals would not be in vain, and that the China-Pakistan partnership would emerge stronger through this test. The Pakistan side promised to ensure medical treatment, care and comfort of the injured, said the statement further.

After the bus incident, the crucial Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC), the apex forum for CPEC, was postponed.