Baloch pro-independence leader and former General Secretary of the Baloch National Movement (BNM), Raheem Baloch, has issued a statement on social media platform X regarding the November 30 attack on a compound housing offices and residences of foreign employees linked to the Reko Diq and Saindak projects in the Nokkundi, Balochistan.
In his statement, Raheem Baloch said the compound was located within a high-security zone near the Pakistan Army’s brigade headquarters, describing the incident as significant in the context of the long-running Balochistan conflict.
He said the attack should not be viewed as unexpected, arguing that multinational companies and foreign investors prioritize Balochistan’s natural resources such as gold, copper, coal, iron, and natural gas while ignoring the political situation and the human rights abuses faced by the Baloch people. According to him, such resistance is a consequence of what he described as exploitation and repression.
Raheem Baloch added that the incident reflects what he described as the continuity of the Balochistan Liberation Front’s long-standing strategy regarding the independence of Balochistan and the protection of its natural resources. He also referred to the 2004 attack on Chinese engineers working at Gwadar Port as a key moment in the conflict.
Commenting on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), he said the project has faced growing challenges due to continued resistance in Balochistan, adding that security measures alone cannot ensure the success of large-scale projects without a political solution.
He further questioned whether Balochistan’s resources could be developed through force without recognizing what he termed the political and economic rights of the Baloch people over their land and natural wealth. According to him, repeated incidents have shown that high-security arrangements do not guarantee full protection for such projects.
In his statement, Raheem Baloch also criticized the narrative that labels Baloch fighters as terrorists, drawing comparisons with historical figures who were once similarly labeled. He said that many Baloch people view the fighters as freedom fighters and honor their sacrifices.
