Pakistans security concerns raised by recent Balochistan attacks

Pakistan’s Balochistan Province Experiences Coordinated Attacks, Fueling Concerns Over Investment and Security.

A series of coordinated attacks across the province of Balochistan in Pakistan has resulted in the deaths of 31 civilians and 17 security personnel. The military responded by killing 145 fighters. The attacks have raised concerns about the risks for Pakistan and potential investors.

During a meeting with US President Donald Trump in September, Pakistani officials presented a briefcase containing minerals to be opened to US investment. However, less than five months later, the promise has been put on hold.

Most of Balochistan’s richest mineral deposits are located in the province, which is also home to significant reserves of oil, coal, gold, copper, and gas. The province’s population is approximately 15 million people, making it the country’s largest by area but its poorest region despite its vast natural resources wealth.

The attacks have sparked a blame game between Pakistan and India, with Pakistani officials accusing their neighbor of involvement in the coordinated assault. However, India has rejected these claims, stating that they are an attempt to divert attention from what it describes as Pakistan’s “internal failings”.

Analysts say that the roots of Pakistan’s crisis in Balochistan run deeper than any one incident and ignoring them will not help Islamabad in its efforts to woo US and Chinese investment. The province has a long history of separatist movements, with at least five major rebellions since Pakistan’s founding.

The government’s response to these demands has been marked by heavy-handed security operations, which have led human rights groups to accuse authorities of killing and forcibly disappearing thousands of ethnic Balochs suspected of involvement in or having ties to the separatist movement.

Source: Al Jazeera