Balochistan Unrest: Separatists Target CPEC Projects

Balochistan separatist militants aim to halt development projects related to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Recent attacks have been among the most severe in years, killing over 70 people. The militants seek to disrupt Pakistan-China relations and gain control over the resource-rich region's wealth.

Recent attacks by separatist militants in Balochistan province aim to halt development projects affiliated with the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif disclosed on Tuesday.

Since Sunday, more than 70 individuals have been killed in the province's most widespread insurgency in recent years, driven by ethnic militants striving for secession. These assailants oppose CPEC and other development projects, seeking to fracture the Pakistan-China alliance.

CPEC involves $65 billion in development, part of President Xi Jinping's Belt and Road initiative. Despite significant mineral resources, poverty-stricken Balochistan relies on Chinese assistance for infrastructure development. In response to attacks, China has committed to bolstering its counter-terrorism cooperation with Pakistan.

China's concerns about the safety of its workers in Pakistan, especially in Balochistan, were heightened after six engineers were killed in March. Separatists, including the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), have also targeted critical infrastructure such as Gwadar port.

Dozens of Chinese targets have previously been assaulted by Baloch separatist factions demanding a greater share of their region's wealth. The BLA claimed responsibility for the latest attacks involving hundreds of fighters and multiple suicide bombers.