Chinese official discusses security with delegation from Balochistan

BEIJING: China’s Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs Liu Bin met with a delegation from Balochistan on Monday, according to a ministry statement.

The two sides exchanged views on issues including security and cooperation between China and the province.

Chinese nationals have been targeted by separatist militants in Balochistan who believe Beijing is helping Pakistan exploit minerals in the underdeveloped province, where China has a port and mining interests.

Balochistan has witnessed a rise in terrorism, with India supporting the terrorist organisations and Afghanistan being a used a base camp against Pakistan.

However, it is not just the terror outfits operating in Balochistan, as the Khawarij too have targeted the Chinese nationals in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as well.

Due to its strategic locations and vast natural resources, Balochistan has become a flashpoint given the fact that India is promoting its proxies to sabotage the CPEC (China Pakistan Economic Corridor) and thus the BRI (Belt and Road Initiative).

Thus, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif after the Khuzdar bombing said the terrorist organisations and their operatives should be described as Fitna al-Hindustan.

But it is not just targeting the Chinese nationals. The strategy to carry out terrorist acts in Balochistan is designed to create fear and a sense of hopelessness so that no development work is carried out in Balochistan and foreign investors are forced to stay away from the province.      

US MINING INVESTMENT

An earlier report by Reuters said Pakistan plans to offer concessions to U.S. companies to invest in its mining sector as part of negotiations with Washington over tariffs, as Islamabad seeks to capitalize on the Trump administration’s interest in boosting trade with South Asia.

Commerce Minister Jam Kamal said that Islamabad will offer US businesses opportunities to invest in mining projects primarily in Balochistan through joint ventures with local companies, providing concessions like lease grants.

The minister said that would be in addition to efforts to increase imports from the United States, particularly cotton and edible oils, which are currently in short supply in Pakistan.

Pakistan would put its offer of concessions for mining investment to US officials during talks over tariffs in the coming weeks.

Kamal did not give further information on the bidding process of these mines or other details.

“There is untapped potential for US companies in Pakistan, from mining machinery to hydrocarbon ventures,” he said in an interview with Reuters.

REKO DIQ

The Reko Diq copper and gold mining project in Balochistan seeks up to $2 billion in financing, including $500 million to $1 billion from the US Export-Import Bank, with term sheets expected by early in the third quarter of this year, its project director told Reuters last month.

The mine could generate $70 billion in free cash flow and $90 billion in operating cash flow over its lifespan.

US President Donald Trump has said that he’s working on “big deals” with both India and Pakistan, following Washington’s key role in brokering a ceasefire between Pakistan and India earlier this month following the worst fighting in decades between the nuclear-armed neighbours.

“The previous US administration focused more on India, but Pakistan is now being recognised as a serious trade partner,” Kamal said.

Pakistan will gradually lower tariffs in its upcoming federal budget, Kamal said.

He said that the United States has not specified trade barriers or priority sectors. The U.S. Embassy in Islamabad did not immediately respond to a request for comment.