Separatist Attacks in Balochistan Threaten $65 Billion CPEC Projects

Separatist militants in Balochistan launched widespread attacks to halt development projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), resulting in over 70 deaths. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated the assaults aim to disrupt Pakistan-China relations and development. China condemned the violence and pledged ongoing support for counter-terrorism efforts.

Separatist militants in Pakistan's Balochistan province have launched a series of attacks aimed at halting development projects linked to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced on Tuesday.

The coordinated assaults, which began on Sunday and resulted in over 70 fatalities, are the most extensive in years by ethnic militants who seek the secession of Balochistan. The resource-rich region is home to several major China-led initiatives, including a strategic port and a precious metal mine. 'The terrorists want to stop CPEC and development projects,' Sharif stated in a televised address to the cabinet, emphasizing that their objective is also to create fissures between Islamabad and Beijing.

Valued at $65 billion, CPEC is a crucial component of Chinese President Xi Jinping's Belt and Road initiative. Due to insufficient local infrastructure, Pakistan has relied on Chinese investment to develop mineral-rich but impoverished Balochistan. In Beijing, Chinese authorities condemned the attacks, vowing unwavering support for Pakistan's counter-terrorism efforts. 'China is ready to further strengthen counter-terrorism security co-operation with the Pakistani side to jointly maintain regional peace and security,' Lin Jian, a foreign ministry spokesperson, said at a routine briefing.

China previously raised concerns over the security of its workers in Pakistan, especially in Balochistan, where six Chinese engineers were killed in a March attack. Militants have frequently targeted Gwadar's deepwater port, operated by China. The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) has claimed responsibility for this week's coordinated attacks on police stations, railways, and highways in Balochistan, Pakistan's largest but least developed province.

(With inputs from agencies.)