According to the German broadcaster Deutsche Welle (DW), all activities of foreign nationals in Balochistan have been restricted due to security concerns. Chinese nationals working on CPEC and various other projects, have been barred from visiting public places until further notice.
According to highly informed sources, foreign companies have expressed serious concerns regarding the security of their staff in Balochistan. In this regard, the federal government in Pakistan has been informed about this situation and concerns of foreign investors.
The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), which has carried out a series of attacks on Chinese nationals in Karachi, has revealed that it has prepared suicide bombers to attack its targets across Pakistan. The group said that those suicide bombers include a large number of women as well.
More than 2,000 Chinese nationals and officials of other foreign companies are working on various projects in different parts of Balochistan.
Foreign companies have been accused by the Baloch “pro-independence” groups of plundering Balochistan’s resources. The alliance of these organizations, Baloch Raji Ajoi Sangar (BRAS) and the Sindhi “pro-independence” group, Sindhudesh Revolutionary Army, had recently announced future attacks on their common targets. Several Baloch armed groups have claimed responsibility for multiple attacks in various parts of Pakistan, including Karachi.
A senior security official stationed in Islamabad, speaking on condition of anonymity, told DW that security issues for foreign nationals, across the country including Balochistan, were being reviewed. “Pakistan is currently facing an uncertain situation due to the changing situation in the region,” the official said. He further added that “some countries are unhappy with the security measures being taken in Pakistan and they do not want stability here. That’s why anti-peace elements have been organized under the plan to attack targets that could raise questions about internal security in Pakistan. ”
The Balochistan Home Department on Wednesday directed all administrative officers across the province to raise security high alert in their respective districts. In order to ensure law and order in the sensitive areas of the province, the security of hotels where foreign nationals reside has also been significantly increased.