Pakistan moves to fortify Balochistan security, protect Reko Diq

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has decided to boost its intelligence network and raise a special force to guard the mineral-rich Balochistan province and its borders with Iran and Afghanistan, a provincial government official said.

The development comes days after Canadian giant Barrick Mining Corporation said it planned to “immediately” begin a comprehensive review of all aspects of the multibillion-dollar Reko Diq copper-gold project in Balochistan.

Barrick’s decision followed coordinated attacks by the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) terrorist group in several districts across Balochistan last Saturday that killed 36 civilians and 22 security personnel. Authorities said they had killed 216 militants in follow-up operations.

“In light of the terrorists events, the provincial government in tandem with security forces is redesigning the entire security architecture,” Shahid Rind, an aide to Chief Minister of Balochistan Sarfraz Bugti for media and political affairs, told an Arab media outlet.

“This includes raising a dedicated Frontier Corps for the mineral-bearing area, securing both borders, i.e., Iran and Afghanistan.”

The Balochistan government will also beef up its intelligence network and work closely with mining companies in the region.

“The Balochistan government is extremely serious about foreign investment in the province and considers Reko Diq as the flag-bearer of foreign investment,” Rind said.

“The provincial government will do whatever is necessary to maintain that.”

The recent attacks have apparently alarmed international investors, especially Barrick, which is developing one of the world’s largest copper and gold mines in Balochistan.

“As we stated in our public documents, Barrick is undertaking a review of all aspects of the Reko Diq project, including with respect to the project’s security arrangements, development timetable and capital budget,” a Barrick spokesperson said in response to an Arab News email. Monitoring Desk