Attacks by separatist militants in Pakistan’s Balochistan province aim to hinder development projects linked to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), according to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
The assaults, beginning on Sunday and resulting in over 70 deaths, mark a significant escalation by ethnic militants seeking secession for Balochistan. This province hosts key Chinese-led initiatives such as a strategic port and a gold and copper mine, crucial to CPEC’s objectives.
In a televised cabinet address, Sharif emphasized that the terrorists’ goal is to obstruct CPEC and other development endeavors, while also straining Islamabad’s relations with Beijing. CPEC, part of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s Belt and Road initiative, involves commitments totaling $65 billion and is pivotal for Pakistan’s economic growth.
Despite its mineral wealth, Balochistan lacks sufficient infrastructure for resource extraction, prompting Pakistan to enlist China’s aid for provincial development. Security concerns, notably the March killing of six Chinese engineers in the northwest, have been raised by Beijing regarding its projects in Pakistan, particularly in Balochistan.
The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), a militant group, has claimed responsibility for the recent coordinated attacks on police stations, railways, and highways in the province, continuing their historical targeting of Gwadar port, operated by China.
The recent attacks underscore the ongoing challenge of balancing development initiatives with security in Balochistan, impacting both Pakistan’s internal stability and its international partnerships, especially with China under CPEC.
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