Waqas ur Rehman
Balochistan, the largest geographic province of Pakistan, is experiencing massive economic activities under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project. The Pakistani government has been striving to improve the living standards of the local Balochs. However, the anti-Pakistan elements backed by the enemy states are trying to sabotage this project by inciting violence in the region. The attack on the Chinese Consulate in Karachi on November 23, 2018 was a tragic incident which resulted in martyrdom of two police personnel. It was carried out by members of the Baloch Sub-Nationalists (BSNs) on the Indian behest to create a situation of fear among the Chinese working in Pakistan. Prior to that, a Chinese couple was abducted from Quetta in June 2017, and subsequently their dead bodies were discovered from the town of Mastung. Similarly, the BSNs carried out a suicide-attack in August 2018, targeting a bus carrying Chinese engineers. Fortunately, the bomber failed in the attempt, and only six people were wounded without any loss of life.
The attack on a foreign consulate in Pakistan was meant to give a clear message by the enemy. Obviously, the answer is found in the Chinese extensive investments in Pakistan under the CPEC project. The arch-rival India views this economic project as a potential threat to its economy, that’s why it is against it from the very beginning. India has propagated very negatives stories about the CPEC, in a move to delay and disrupt this project. India cannot directly target this project, thus it is using (misusing) the BSNs to achieve its political and strategic plans. The Indian Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) has been supporting the BSNs, and giving air to the terrorist activities in Pakistan as evident from the confessional statement of the abducted RAW agent Commander Kulbhushan Jadhav.
The CPEC is an agreement between the governments of Pakistan and China to develop an extensive economic and infrastructure corridor, which will connect the city of Kashgar in China’s Xinjiang province to the port of Gwadar in southern Pakistan. Under the CPEC project, China is investing $62 billion in Pakistan to develop many sectors which includes port facilities in Gwadar, energy projects, transportation infrastructure, and industrial zones. The basic aim of the CPEC is to uplift the underdeveloped areas of Pakistan and China. The government of Pakistan has been striving for the socio-economic uplift of the Baloch people, and taking concrete steps for completion of the CPEC project. However, it is unfortunate to know that these sub-nationalists are projecting negative impression of Pakistan and its Law-Enforcement Agencies (LEAs). The attack on the Chinese Consulate was explicitly part of a strategy to pressurize the Chinese companies to leave Balochistan. The statements issued by the Foreign Offices of both Pakistan and China indicate that their bilateral relations are very firm and trustworthy. The Chinese Embassy in Islamabad expressed its full trust in ability of the Pakistani security agencies to protect its citizens and institutions, and stated that attempts to undermine the China-Pakistan relationships are doomed to fail. It is equally significant to note that the Pakistani security agencies have foiled many terrorist attacks by sacrificing their precious lives. Now, the Chinese officials and labors present in various parts of Pakistan especially Balochistan, work in a sound environment under the foolproof security protection. The government of Pakistan has raised a ‘Special Security Division’ comprised of more than 15,000 personnel for protecting the Chinese workers.
The BSNs’ activities are further complicated by certain factors connected to Afghanistan. The Indian RAW has been creating disturbance in Balochistan using the Afghan soil. However, it is good to know that the ‘Afghan Reconciliation Process’ is going on with positive developments. The issue of BSNs has been raised in the ongoing negotiations between the Taliban and the United States (US) government. The Taliban representatives have reportedly demanded the US to ensure that the BSNs would not be allowed to use the Afghan soil to launch attacks in Pakistan. It is hoped that activities of the BSNs will be curtailed after the peaceful outcome of the Afghan negotiations. Resultantly, it would be difficult for the BSNs to take refuge in Afghanistan. It is important for the Balochs to recognize the foul-play of the enemy states against Pakistan and its development drive. The Balochs should acknowledge the government’s efforts in alleviating their grievances. They must align themselves in the national mainstream in order to reap the fruits of the CPEC project. It will surely improve the socio-economic conditions of their province.
