Pakistan has decided to enhance its intelligence network and create a special force to guard the mineral-rich Balochistan province, including its borders with its porous borders with Iran and Afghanistan after Barrick reviews its mining project in Reko Diq, a provincial government official said on Saturday.
The development comes after a Canadian joint Barrick Mining Corporation said it planned to immediately begin a comprehensive review of all aspects of its multi-billion dollar Reko Diq investments in Reko Diq Copper Gold project in Balochistan. The decision by the company followed coordinated attack by separatist group Baloch Liberation Army in several districts of the province on Saturday that killed 36 civilians and 22 security personnel.
Authorities said that in encounter operations, they have killed 216 militants. Mineral-rich Balochistan borders with Iran and Afghanistan has been a point of insurgency for several decades. They are waged by Baloch separatist groups who often attack security forces, foreigners and non-local Pakistanis, and are reportedly kidnapping the government officials as well.
“In light of the terrorists events, the provincial government in tandem with security forces is redesigning the entire security architecture,” Shahid Rind, an aide to Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti for media and political affairs, told Arab News.
Read more: Terror at Friday prayers: witnesses describe blast rocking Islamabad mosque
“This includes raising of dedicated Frontier Corps for the mineral-bearing area, securing both borders i.e. Iran and Afghanistan.”
Reports further said that Balochistan government will enhance intelligence network and work closely with mining companies in the region. The recent attacks have made the international investors cautious, especially Barrick, which is developing one of the world’s largest copper and gold mines in Balochistan.
In its latest statement, the company has stated that “Barrack will continue to advance site works in Q4, although in light of a recent increase in security incidents, management is currently reviewing all aspects of the project. The review will begin immediately.”
The Barrick spokesperson said update will be provided when the review has been completed. The company, the Canadian company owns 50% share in Rikudik along with three Pakistani federal state-owned enterprises that owns 25%, while the Balochistan government has the remaining 25% share in the project. The project is expected to begin production in 2028 and is pivotal in boosting Pakistan’s mineral exports and attracting foreign investment into its underdeveloped mining sector.
The company, the Canadian company Barrack is also expected to start investing in Pakistan’s port infrastructure soon as it prepares for spoke exports. Pakistan’s International Bulk Terminals Limited, the country’s first dirty bulk terminal located at Port Qasim in Karachi, will host dedicated facilities to ship Reko Diq’s output.
Barrick’s Pakistani subsidiary, Reko Diq Mining Company, last week signed an export agreement with PIBT under which the miner will export 800,000 tonnes of copper and gold concentrate through the terminal in the first phase and will double the volume in the second phase. While Pakistan pins the Reko Diq project as pivotal for transforming its economy, the persistent militant attacks and rising militancy in the region, including targeted attacks on security forces, state institutions and infrastructure, have raised concerns among investors.
