Dr. Naseem Baloch, Chairman of the Baloch National Movement (BNM), stated that Saudi Arabia’s partnership in the Reko Diq project is a grave violation of Baloch national rights and sovereignty. Like other projects, the Reko Diq initiative serves as a major means of perpetuating the exploitation and subjugation of the Baloch people.
All such ventures are initiated against the will of the Baloch nation. Pakistan is an occupying state, and the Baloch nation is actively resisting its occupation. Partnerships of countries and companies in these projects are also considered acts of aggression and exploitation on Baloch national soil.
Dr. Naseem Baloch emphasized that the Pakistani state presents a deceptive narrative of a peaceful and stable Balochistan to global investors, deliberately downplaying the strength of the Baloch national movement. This narrative is used to attract foreign investments, prolonging the exploitation of Baloch natural resources and solidifying Pakistan’s colonial grip on Balochistan. Participation by other countries in Pakistani-led projects against the will of the Baloch nation constitutes a direct role in the exploitation of Baloch resources and complicity in the ongoing systematic genocide of the Baloch people.
He stated that the Baloch are a self-reliant and peace-loving nation, aspiring for amicable relations with their neighbors. Saudi Arabia, as a neighboring and influential country in the Islamic world, was expected to show solidarity and cooperation with the Baloch people in alignment with its progressive vision. However, by partnering with the occupying state on Baloch soil, Saudi Arabia has made a regrettable and disappointing choice.
Dr. Naseem Baloch pointed out that Balochistan is rich in natural resources, including copper and gold, but for over seven decades, it has been subjected to relentless plundering by the Pakistani state. These resources rightfully belong to the Baloch people, who alone have the authority to protect, utilize, and develop them. Yet, Pakistan has consistently exploited these resources through its colonial policies, using the revenues to fund the suppression and genocide of the Baloch. The Reko Diq project is a recent example of this exploitation, further violating the rights of the Baloch by involving foreign collaborators.
The Baloch National Movement asserts that such agreements and projects are violations of international laws and principles. Decisions by an occupying force on a nation’s land and resources are both illegal and unethical, especially when the affected nation is actively resisting these actions. We call upon Saudi Arabia and other nations to respect the Baloch national struggle and their rights, and to refrain from participating in any ventures that go against the will and interests of the Baloch people.
Furthermore, we remind Saudi Arabia of its moral and humanitarian obligation as a major global player to support oppressed nations rather than aiding in the exploitation of their resources or perpetuating the injustices against them. If Saudi Arabia seeks to maintain its standing in the region and enhance its global stature, it must adopt a just approach towards the Baloch people. Saudi Arabia’s involvement in the Reko Diq project not only undermines the rights of the Baloch but also sets a detrimental precedent for the entire region. We urge Saudi Arabia to reconsider this agreement and choose a path of solidarity and cooperation with the Baloch people, fostering peace, justice, and development in the region.
The Baloch National Movement strongly condemns this move and reiterates that the Baloch nation will take all possible measures to protect its resources and rights. We appeal to our neighboring countries and the international community to understand the Baloch struggle and play an active role in safeguarding their rights.
