Balochistan Militants Target China-Pakistan Economic Corridor Projects

Separatist militants in Balochistan, Pakistan, have launched widespread attacks aimed at halting development projects linked to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The assaults, which began Sunday and claimed over 70 lives, aim to disrupt the $65 billion initiative and strain relations between Islamabad and Beijing.

Separatist militants in Pakistan's southwestern province of Balochistan have launched a series of attacks targeting development projects associated with the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif revealed on Tuesday.

The assaults, starting from Sunday and resulting in over 70 fatalities, rank among the deadliest in recent years by ethnic militants who seek the province's secession. Balochistan harbors crucial China-led projects such as a strategic port and a gold and copper mine. 'The terrorists want to stop CPEC and development projects,' Sharif stated during a televised cabinet address, highlighting aims to sow discord between Islamabad and Beijing.

With an estimated development commitment of $65 billion, CPEC forms a part of Chinese President Xi Jinping's Belt and Road initiative. Despite ongoing efforts, Pakistan has struggled to establish the necessary infrastructure to harness Balochistan's mineral wealth and has thus turned to China for assistance.

Security concerns have frequently been raised by Beijing over its workforce in Pakistan, particularly in Balochistan. In March, six Chinese engineers were killed while working on a dam project in the northwest. Recurring attacks by separatist militants have consistently disrupted operations in Balochistan's Gwadar deepwater port, managed by Chinese authorities.

The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), a militant group, has claimed responsibility for this week's coordinated assaults on police stations, railway lines, and highways. Balochistan remains Pakistan's largest but least developed province.

(With inputs from agencies.)