Pakistan’s Minister for Planning Planning Development & Special Initiatives, Ahsan Iqbal, has reiterated that the ongoing “terrorist” attacks will not hinder the progress of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Addressing the media in Beijing, Iqbal confirmed that 12,000 permanent military personnel have been deployed to ensure the security of Chinese projects in Pakistan, which he said highlights the Pakistani government’s commitment to safeguarding critical infrastructure linked to the ambitious CPEC initiative.
Iqbal further outlined that in the second phase of CPEC, Pakistan will not only benefit from China’s financial and technical support but also gain access to modern research and technology. He emphasized the strong and unconditional ties between the people of Pakistan and China, framing CPEC as a cornerstone of the bilateral relationship.
However, the security of CPEC projects continues to be a significant challenge, particularly in Balochistan, where “pro-independence” movements have targeted Chinese investments and personnel. The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) has been particularly active in its opposition to CPEC, which it views as an exploitation of the region’s resources and a threat to Baloch autonomy.
The BLA’s recent attacks include a suicide bombing in the early weeks of October 2024 near Karachi Airport, which targeted a convoy of Chinese investors and a CPEC delegation. This follows a similar attack in April 2022, when the BLA claimed responsibility for a bombing at Karachi University’s Confucius Institute, which killed three Chinese nationals. The latter attack was carried out by Shari Baloch, the BLA’s first female self-sacrificial attacker, marking a significant turn in the nature of the insurgency in Balochistan.
Last year, the BLA also launched an assault on a convoy of Chinese citizens in the upscale area of Gwadar, marking a significant escalation in its campaign against CPEC-linked projects. The group’s operations are not limited to attacks on personnel but extend to sabotaging infrastructure, with a notable incident in 2021 when BLA’s Majeed Brigade claimed responsibility for a suicide bombing, carried out by Umer Jan alias Sarbuland, targeting Chinese engineers in Gwadar.
These attacks, alongside previous high-profile incidents such as the 2018 assault on the Chinese consulate in Karachi, have raised concerns about the security of Chinese personnel and projects in Pakistan. The Pakistani and Chinese governments have both faced mounting challenges in securing CPEC assets, with increasing military presence and cooperation aimed at addressing these risks.
The BLA has consistently criticized CPEC, claiming that the projects offer no benefits to the local Baloch population and are instead designed to further the interests of China and the Pakistani state. The BLA’s stance is that the CPEC projects exacerbate the exploitation of Balochistan’s natural resources, contributing to the region’s marginalization and threatening its sovereignty.