Additionally, another Chinese man suffered injuries in the same incident.

The deceased have been identified as Chen Zhu, 45, a Cosco employee.

According to reports, both the Chinese nationals were travelling in a car in Karachi's Zamzama when unidentified gunmen opened fire at them.

A senior police officer has termed it a targeted attack.

"The incident appears to be a targeted attack, it doesn’t look like a mugging," the official was quoted in the media as saying.

Though China has maintained a cordial relationship with Pakistan when most in the sub continent has appeared skeptical about Islamabad, it warned it citizens about facing attacks from the latter.

"The embassy alerts all Chinese organisations and citizens in Pakistan to stay vigilant, safeguard personal security, reduce time spent outside and avoid going to crowded places as much as possible," a Chinese embassy statement released in Dec 2017 read.