For subscribers

China and Pakistan: Why a sour note has seeped into ‘sweeter than honey’ ties

Islamabad is in a fix on how to assuage Beijing’s growing anger over attacks on Chinese nationals.

Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox

A Pakistani policeman stands guard outside a factory where two Chinese nationals were allegedly shot, in Karachi on Nov 5.

A Pakistani policeman standing guard outside a factory where two Chinese nationals were allegedly shot in Karachi on Nov 5.

PHOTO: AFP

Follow topic:

Over the weekend, when I called a friend in Lahore, he was venting heavily over a host of issues.

The political crisis in Pakistan caused by

the continued imprisonment of former prime minister Imran Khan

, possibly the nation’s most popular public figure, was causing inconvenient lockdowns. In some places, there were internet shutdowns as the administration tried to control the public outcry.

See more on