KARACHI: Pakistan has decided to strengthen its intelligence network and raise a special security force to protect the mineral-rich province of Balochistan and its borders with Iran and Afghanistan, a provincial official said on Saturday.
The move follows Canadian mining giant Barrick Gold’s decision to launch an immediate review of all aspects of the multibillion-dollar Reko Diq copper-gold project after a wave of coordinated separatist attacks in the province.
Last week, militants from the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) carried out attacks across several districts of Balochistan, killing 36 civilians and 22 security personnel. Authorities said security forces later killed 216 militants in follow-up operation Raadul Fitna.
Balochistan, which borders Iran and Afghanistan, has faced a long-running insurgency led by separatist groups that frequently target security forces, foreign interests, and non-local workers.
“In response to recent terrorist incidents, the provincial government, in coordination with security forces, is redesigning the entire security architecture,” said Shahid Rind, aide to Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti on media and political affairs.
He said the plan includes raising a dedicated Frontier Corps unit for mineral-bearing areas and strengthening security along both borders.
The Balochistan government also plans to expand its intelligence network and coordinate closely with mining companies operating in the region.
“The provincial government is fully committed to protecting foreign investment,” Rind said. “We see Reko Diq as the flagship of international investment in Balochistan, and we will take all necessary measures to secure it.”
Pakistan’s information minister did not respond to requests for comment.
