Pakistan is strengthening security in Balochistan to safeguard its mineral-rich region and borders with Iran and Afghanistan. The provincial government announced plans to boost intelligence networks and raise a dedicated Frontier Corps for the area.
The move follows a deadly wave of attacks by the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) last weekend. The assaults claimed the lives of 36 civilians and 22 security personnel. Security forces reported killing 216 militants during follow-up operations.
Shahid Rind, aide to Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti, said the government is redesigning the entire security structure. “We are raising a special Frontier Corps for the mineral-rich area and strengthening border security,” he said. He added that the government is fully committed to protecting foreign investments, highlighting Reko Diq as a key project.
Canadian mining giant Barrick, which owns a 50% stake in Reko Diq, said it will immediately review all aspects of the copper-gold project, including security, development timelines, and budgets. The company described the project as progressing but noted the recent spike in security incidents prompted the review. The remaining 50% stake is held jointly by three federal Pakistani enterprises (25%) and the Balochistan government (25%).
Despite militant threats, development linked to the project continues. Barrick plans to invest $150 million in Port Qasim’s Pakistan International Bulk Terminal (PIBT) to handle copper-gold exports once production begins in 2028. An initial export agreement has been signed for 800,000 tonnes of concentrate, with volumes set to double in a second phase.
The Reko Diq project, revived in 2022 after years of legal disputes, is seen as a transformative investment for Balochistan, the country’s largest yet least developed province. However, repeated militant attacks targeting security forces and infrastructure continue to raise concerns for investors.
PIBT CEO Sharique Azim Siddiqui said that while security challenges persist, the company remains committed to the project. “If cargo movement is not secure, it will impact Reko Diq and everyone involved,” he noted.
