CPEC Opens to Third Parties Amid Security Concerns
Military operation in Mach, Bolan enters fourth day, disrupting local life
The Pakistani security forces have reportedly cordoned off multiple areas of Balochitan’s Mach, Bolan and their environs, as a large-scale military operation in the region enters its fourth day. The ground troops, assisted by gunship
Quetta: BLA claims responsibility for attack on police that killed 4, injured 18
In a deadly incident that occurred on Monday, at least four people, including two police officers, were killed and 18 others were left injured in an explosion in Quetta, the capital city of Balochistan. The
Rampant street crimes leave residents of Khuzdar in fear and helplessness
The city of Khuzdar has become a hub of criminal activities, with reports indicating that street criminals, snatchers, and thieves are rampant in the area. The situation has left the residents of Khuzdar living in
Balochistan: two men killed in firing incidents
At least two persons were reportedly killed in two separate firing incidents in Balochistan on Friday. According to reports, unidentified armed men entered a house in the Dera Murad Jamali area of Balochistan and shot
Resident of Kech district disappears in Karachi raid
A man from Kech district, Balochistan, has reportedly disappeared in Karachi after Pakistani forces allegedly detained him and his two sons during a raid on their house in Goth Mallir. According to sources, the man’s
Balochistan’s captivating images; A lifeline for ailing photographer
For 14 years, Kamanchar Baloch has dedicated himself to capturing the essence of Balochistan’s culture, stunning landscapes, and the plight of its impoverished residents. Born in Tehsil Mand, Balochistan, on November 25, 1998, Kamanchar has
BSO-Azad concludes 23rd Council Session; Drapshan Baloch elected chairman
The Baloch Students Organization Azad (BSO-Azad) released the highlights of the 23rd Central Council Session. BSO-Azad announced in the media that it wrapped up its 23rd Central Council session, a three-day event held in memory
Quetta: Security forces bring 3 dead bodies to a hospital
Pakistani forces reportedly shifted three dead bodies to a hospital in Balochistan’s capital Quetta on Wednesday. According to reports, Pakistani forces shifted the dead bodies of three men to the civil hospital Quetta — where
Enforced disappearances continue; Another goes ‘missing’ in Panjgur
Another Baloch man went missing from the Panjgur district of Balochistan on Wednesday. According to reports, Pakistani forces have allegedly disappeared a man after his arrest from the Parom area of the district. The detainee
Pakistan’s Ambassador to China, Moinul Haque, has recently announced that China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects are now open to third-party participation. Haque conveyed this message during an interview with China’s state broadcaster, CCTV. He stated, “Our two nations have agreed to welcome third-party involvement in this initiative, and we are also exploring the possibility of extending it to Afghanistan.”
Haque emphasized the crucial role that CPEC plays in Pakistan’s economic landscape, highlighting the addition of nearly 8,000 megawatts of energy to the country’s power grid through new projects. He noted that this expansion has significantly benefited both consumers and industries.
However, this announcement comes amid reports suggesting China’s hesitation to endorse new project proposals from Pakistan under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Pakistan had proposed projects related to energy, climate change, electricity transmission, and tourism, but Beijing reportedly declined many of these proposals. Notably, China rejected Pakistan’s request for a transmission line connecting Gwadar to Karachi and insisted on keeping a coal-fired power plant in Gwadar, despite Islamabad’s preferences.
These economic discussions take place in the context of China’s growing security concerns in the Balochistan region. The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), an armed group advocating for independence, has carried out targeted attacks against Chinese interests. One significant attack in August targeted a convoy of Chinese engineers in Gwadar, resulting in casualties, including Chinese nationals.
Following this attack, the BLA issued a warning to China, setting a 90-day deadline for its withdrawal from Balochistan. In a subsequent video message, the BLA leader, Bashir Zeb Baloch, urged global powers, particularly China, to reconsider their investments in the region.
In light of these developments, China’s shift in strategy, from rejecting new projects to now welcoming third-party involvement in CPEC, carries significant implications. It suggests China’s growing concerns about the long-term viability of CPEC, especially given the unrest in Balochistan. This decision might be aimed at spreading potential risks across multiple stakeholders to reduce direct exposure, reflecting the complex challenges that China faces in the region.
