Pakistan has announced plans to significantly expand security measures in Balochistan in an effort to address investor concerns, particularly following recent militant attacks and renewed scrutiny of the multibillion-dollar Reko Diq copper and gold mining project.
The decision includes strengthening intelligence networks, enhancing border security along Balochistan’s frontiers with Iran and Afghanistan, and establishing a dedicated security force for mineral-rich areas. The move comes a day after Canadian mining giant Barrick Gold Corporation said it would conduct a comprehensive review of all aspects of the Reko Diq project.
Barrick Gold’s announcement followed a series of coordinated attacks carried out last week across several districts of Balochistan during what the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) described as the second phase of “Operation Herof”. Pakistani authorities reported that the attacks resulted in the deaths of 36 civilians and 22 security personnel.
Officials further stated that subsequent security operations led to the killing of 216 militants, a claim rejected by the BLA. The group said 93 of its fighters were killed during the six-day operation, including 50 suicide attackers. On Friday, the BLA announced the conclusion of the operation, claiming that more than 360 Pakistani security personnel, police officers, and private militia members had been killed or captured. These figures could not be independently verified.
Balochistan, which borders Iran and Afghanistan and is rich in natural resources, has experienced a decades-long insurgency. Armed groups have repeatedly targeted security forces, government infrastructure, and foreign-linked economic projects, particularly in the mining and energy sectors.
Government Response
Shahid Rind, spokesperson for the Balochistan Chief Minister on media and political affairs, said the provincial government was restructuring the security framework in coordination with federal forces in response to recent developments.
He said the measures include the creation of a specialised Frontier Corps unit dedicated to securing mining regions, enhanced protection of both international borders, and a strengthened intelligence network. According to Mr Rind, the government also plans closer coordination with mining companies operating in the region.
“The provincial government is serious about foreign investment and considers Reko Diq a flagship project,” he said, adding that all necessary steps would be taken to ensure its continuation. He acknowledged that recent attacks had raised concerns among international investors, particularly Barrick Gold, which is developing one of the world’s largest copper and gold mines in Balochistan.
Barrick Gold Review
A spokesperson for Barrick Gold said the company, as disclosed in its public filings, is reviewing all aspects of the Reko Diq project, including security arrangements, development timelines, and capital expenditure.
In its fourth-quarter financial results released on 5 February, Barrick stated that site work at Reko Diq had continued during the quarter but that management had initiated a comprehensive review following a recent increase in security incidents. The company said the review would begin immediately, with further details to be shared once completed.
Barrick Gold holds a 50 per cent stake in the Reko Diq project. The remaining ownership is divided between three Pakistani federal state-owned enterprises (25 per cent) and the Government of Balochistan (25 per cent). Production is expected to begin in 2028, and the project is widely viewed as central to Pakistan’s strategy to expand mineral exports and attract foreign investment into its underdeveloped mining sector.
Infrastructure and Exports
Despite the security challenges in Balochistan, project-related infrastructure developments in other parts of Pakistan are continuing. Barrick Gold is expected to begin investing in port-related infrastructure in preparation for future exports.
Pakistan International Bulk Terminal Limited (PIBT), which operates the country’s first dirty bulk cargo terminal at Port Qasim in Karachi, will handle exports from the Reko Diq project. PIBT’s Chief Executive Officer, Shariq Azim Siddiqui, said Barrick Gold would invest US$150 million to construct a dedicated storage shed and upgrade specialised facilities to support concentrate exports from 2028 onwards.
Under an export agreement signed last week between PIBT and Reko Diq Mining Company — Barrick’s Pakistani subsidiary — approximately 800,000 tonnes of copper and gold concentrate will be exported annually in the initial phase, with volumes expected to double in the second phase.
Ongoing Risks
The Reko Diq project was revived in 2022 after years of legal disputes and is described by the Balochistan government as a transformative investment for Pakistan’s largest but least developed region.
However, persistent militant activity and an increase in attacks on security forces, state institutions, and infrastructure have heightened investor concerns. Following last week’s attacks — among the deadliest in recent years — large-scale security operations have been launched across Balochistan, with authorities saying efforts are ongoing to locate those involved.
Mr Siddiqui said the recent escalation in militant attacks was a source of concern for logistics and export operations. “Security challenges have always existed in Pakistan, and investors are aware of this reality,” he said, adding that improvements were expected over time.
He warned that disruptions to cargo movement due to security concerns could negatively affect the Reko Diq project and all stakeholders involved.
Meanwhile, the growing operational capacity of the BLA and the impact of recent attacks have also raised concerns among other foreign investors, including China. Several China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)-linked projects have reportedly been paused.
In a statement issued following the attacks, the BLA said it viewed investments carried out in Balochistan without the consent of the local population as exploitative and warned that such projects would continue to be targeted.