The current security situation in Balochistan has emerged as a significant challenge for Chinese investment projects in the region. In June 2026, Saindak Metals Limited warned Pakistan’s Ministry of Energy that the deteriorating conditions were disrupting the transportation of essential supplies and that the Saindak Copper-Gold Project could be forced to suspend its operations within a month if the situation does not improve.
According to a report by the Financial Times, the managing director of Saindak Metals Limited wrote to Pakistan’s Ministry of Energy on 29 June, stating that the prevailing situation in Balochistan had severely affected the delivery of materials required for the project. The newspaper reported that it had reviewed the letter, which had not previously been made public.
In the letter, the company warned that if the situation continued unchanged, it would become increasingly difficult to maintain uninterrupted operations at the Saindak Copper-Gold Project. It added that the lack of essential production materials and logistical support could create a serious risk of project activities being suspended within the next month.
The warning comes amid a recent series of operations by the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), which has claimed temporary control of several highways across Balochistan and established road blockades as part of what it describes as an “economic blockade”. According to the group, the objective of these actions is to disrupt mineral transportation, commercial activity and state supply routes.
Attacks on highways and growing security concerns have reportedly affected the transportation of essential goods. In some parts of Balochistan, transport companies are said to be scaling back operations or avoiding routes altogether because of increasing risks.
As a result, the timely delivery of raw materials and other key production supplies has become a growing challenge. If the current disruptions persist and conditions do not improve, project production activities and operational continuity could face significant difficulties.
China has been the largest foreign investor in Balochistan over the past decade, with billions of dollars invested through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Major projects in the region include Gwadar Port, the Saindak Copper-Gold Project, the Reko Diq mining project, as well as energy and highway infrastructure schemes.
The worsening security environment in Balochistan has increased risks for these investments. In recent years, several attacks have targeted Chinese engineers, technical experts and their convoys. Following such incidents, Chinese authorities have repeatedly urged the Pakistani government to take more effective measures to ensure the safety of Chinese nationals working in the country.