Pakistan plans special force, stronger intelligence to secure Balochistan borders and mining areas

KARACHI: Pakistan has decided to strengthen its intelligence network and raise a special force to guard mineral-rich Balochistan and its borders with Iran and Afghanistan, a provincial government official said.

The move comes days after Canadian mining giant Barrick Mining Corporation announced it would immediately begin a comprehensive review of all aspects of the multibillion-dollar Reko Diq copper-gold project in the province.

Barrick’s decision followed coordinated attacks by the banned Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) in several districts of Balochistan last Saturday, which killed 36 civilians and 22 security personnel. Authorities said 216 militants were killed in follow-up operations.

“In light of the terrorist 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.

“This includes raising a dedicated Frontier Corps for the mineral-bearing area, securing both borders, i.e., Iran and Afghanistan,” he said.

Rind added that the provincial government would also expand its intelligence network and work closely with mining companies operating in the region. He said Balochistan viewed foreign investment as a priority, with Reko Diq considered a flagship project.

Barrick, which holds a 50% share in the project, confirmed it was reviewing security arrangements, the development timetable and the capital budget. The company said an update would be provided once the review is completed.

The Reko Diq project, revived in 2022 after years of legal disputes, is expected to begin production in 2028 and is central to Pakistan’s plans to boost mineral exports and attract foreign investment into its mining sector.

Despite security concerns, preparations for exports are continuing. Barrick is expected to invest $150 million in Pakistan’s port infrastructure, with dedicated facilities at Port Qasim’s Pakistan International Bulk Terminal Ltd (PIBT) to handle shipments of copper-gold concentrate once production begins.

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Under an agreement signed last week, Barrick’s subsidiary will export 800,000 tonnes of concentrate through PIBT in the first phase, with volumes expected to double in the second phase.

However, persistent militant activity and rising attacks on security forces and infrastructure continue to raise concerns among investors, prompting authorities to launch large-scale security operations across Balochistan.