Nestled in Pakistan’s southwest and heavily invested by China, Balochistan is a land of contradictions—immensely rich in resources yet deeply impoverished.
The province holds vast reserves of copper, gold, coal, and natural gas, accounting for a significant portion of Pakistan’s mineral wealth.
However, its people remain among the most economically marginalized in the country, fueling decades of unrest and insurgency. With growing separatist movements and massive investments from China, Balochistan is fast emerging as a flashpoint that could redefine Asia’s geopolitical dynamics.
The Hijacking That Shocked The World
On March 11, 2025, Balochistan grabbed international attention when militants from the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) hijacked the Jaffar Express—a passenger train traveling from Quetta to Peshawar.
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Over 100 passengers were taken hostage as the insurgents demanded the release of political prisoners and missing Baloch activists. The dramatic standoff ended after a two-day military operation, leaving at least 33 militants, 21 hostages, and four security personnel dead.
This shocking incident was not an isolated act of terror but rather a stark reminder of the long-standing conflict in Balochistan. The province, despite its abundant natural wealth, has been a battleground for independence movements, state repression, and foreign interventions, making it one of Asia’s most volatile regions.
Baloch and Their Resentment
Balochistan is a vast and strategically significant region geographically divided between three countries: Pakistan, Iran, and Afghanistan. The largest portion lies within Pakistan, forming its biggest province, while Iran has its own Sistan and Baluchestan provinces bordering Pakistan.
Quetta, the provincial capital, sits in a picturesque valley encircled by snow-capped peaks, while the Sulaiman Mountains dominate the northeast, and the Makran Coast stretches to the southwest.
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The Baloch people, an ethnic group spread across the three nations, primarily identify through tribal affiliations rather than strict national boundaries. Their homeland’s rugged terrain consists of towering mountain ranges, arid deserts, fertile valleys, and a long coastline along the Arabian Sea.
Spanning 347,190 square kilometers—an area roughly the size of France—Balochistan is Pakistan’s largest province but also its least populated and most underdeveloped.
Despite its rich deposits of natural gas, copper, gold, and coal, Balochistan remains economically neglected. This persistent marginalization has fueled separatist movements, as many Baloch nationalists accuse the Pakistani government of exploiting the region’s vast resources while sidelining its native population.
Decades of political repression, lack of infrastructure, and economic disparity have only deepened the resentment, turning Balochistan into a center of insurgent activity and separatist aspirations.
The Economic Paradox
With its strategic location linking the Middle East, South Asia, and Central Asia, Balochistan is not only a geopolitical focal point but has also become a contested ground for resources.
According to the Geological Survey of Pakistan, the region holds vast reserves of iron, copper (with traces of gold, silver, and molybdenum), lead, zinc, chromite, barite, coal, gypsum, limestone, and silica sand, among others. While some of these resources are being utilized or exported, many remain unexplored, waiting to be harnessed for economic growth.
The province accounts for 58% of Pakistan’s total coal production and contains enormous gypsum and fluorite deposits, particularly in Dilband-Maran, Mula Zahri Range, and Loralai.
Map of Pakistan Showing Mineral Localities
Although all non-radioactive minerals, except for oil and gas, fall under the jurisdiction of provincial authorities, federal oversight on key resources has led to tensions over ownership and revenue distribution.
Despite holding nearly 20% of Pakistan’s total mineral and energy resources, Balochistan remains one of the country’s most economically neglected regions.
Beyond minerals, Balochistan’s fertile lands have also earned it the title of “Pakistan’s Fruit Basket.” The province produces 90% of the country’s grapes, cherries, and almonds, 60% of peaches, pomegranates, and apricots, 34% of apples, and 70% of dates. Its unique agroecological zones make it a key player in Pakistan’s agricultural sector, yet, much like its minerals, this potential remains underutilized due to a lack of investment and infrastructure.
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Despite this potential, much of Balochistan’s mineral wealth remains underdeveloped, contributing to economic disparity and fueling long-standing grievances among its people.
The native Baloch, organized into tribal communities, claim that while their land is rich in resources, they are systematically marginalized, with little benefit from the wealth beneath their feet.
One glaring example of this exploitation is the Saindak gold and copper mine, where profits are largely divided between the Chinese company operating it and the federal government of Pakistan. The Balochistan provincial government receives only 5% of the mine’s revenue, leaving local communities with few economic benefits. Even those employed at the site are offered only low-paying, unsafe jobs, while high-skilled positions remain out of reach.
Balochistan’s Human Development Index (HDI) score of 0.421 (compared to Punjab’s 0.732) highlights the stark economic divide. Education, healthcare, and basic infrastructure remain woefully inadequate, reinforcing the grievances that fuel the insurgency.
The Rise Of Baloch Separatism
The struggle for Balochistan’s autonomy dates back to Pakistan’s independence in 1947, but recent years have seen a more organized and aggressive insurgency. In 2018, multiple separatist factions—including the BLA, Baloch Republican Army (BRA), and Baloch Liberation Front (BLF)—merged under the umbrella of Baloch Raji Aajoi Sangar (BRAS).
The separatist movement has gained significant traction among educated young Baloch, many of whom view the Pakistani state and Chinese investments as exploitative.
In 2022, a female graduate student carried out a suicide attack on behalf of the BLA, targeting Chinese educators at the University of Karachi. This marked a troubling shift as the movement continued to attract individuals disillusioned with state policies.
Recently, this coalition evolved into the Baloch National Army (BNA), aiming to resist both Pakistani military forces and increasing Chinese influence in the region.
To these grievances, the Pakistani government has responded with military crackdowns, enforced disappearances, and allegations of human rights violations. Hundreds of Baloch activists and civilians have gone missing, fueling anger and resentment. Security forces stand accused of harassment, excessive force, and targeting those who voice dissent.
Meanwhile, deadly attacks on security personnel and infrastructure projects have surged in recent years, escalating tensions. Despite the worsening conflict, there is no indication that the Pakistani government is willing to negotiate or address Baloch demands, keeping the province locked in a seemingly endless cycle of rebellion and repression.
The ongoing crisis in Balochistan reflects both a failure of governance and a deep-rooted struggle for identity and autonomy. While the Pakistani government and military have focused on crushing insurgency through force, they have failed to address the grievances driving the conflict.
Targeting Chinese Investments
In recent years, Balochistan has become a focal point for Chinese investment, largely driven by China’s One Belt One Road (OBOR) initiative. The province’s strategic location, particularly its control over the Gwadar Port, has made it a vital piece in the broader China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a transformative infrastructure project aimed at connecting China to international markets via Pakistan’s Arabian Sea coast.
Gwadar Port, located on the Arabian Sea, is of immense economic and geopolitical significance. It promises to be a key trade gateway for the region.
However, for many Baloch, these investments represent yet another form of external exploitation. While the Pakistani government touts CPEC as a game-changer, locals argue that they see little benefit from these massive projects.
Many locals see these ventures as serving foreign and federal interests while sidelining their own aspirations. The influx of Chinese companies and workers has only deepened resentment as locals struggle with unemployment and inadequate social services.
In response, Baloch separatist groups like the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) have increasingly turned their focus to attacking Chinese nationals and infrastructure.
While the BLA has traditionally targeted Pakistani state installations, recent tactics reflect a shift in strategy: stirring instability to create panic among Chinese investors. The goal? To pressure Pakistan into addressing the Baloch demands, hoping that China—with its substantial stakes in the region—will push Islamabad to prioritize local concerns over continued exploitation.
What’s Next?
Balochistan stands at a critical crossroads. While its resources and strategic position make it a valuable asset for Pakistan and China, the deep-seated discontent among its people makes it a persistent hotspot for conflict.
The Pakistani government’s reliance on military force to suppress dissent has proven ineffective as insurgency continues to grow in both intensity and sophistication.
For China, the success of CPEC hinges on stability in Balochistan. However, continued resistance from separatist groups poses a serious challenge to its investments. If the conflict escalates further, it could jeopardize Beijing’s broader One Belt Onne Road (OBOR) ambitions in the region.
- Shubhangi Palve is a defense and aerospace journalist. Before joining the EurAsian Times, she worked for ET Prime. She has over 15 years of extensive experience in the media industry, spanning print, electronic, and online domains.
- Contact the author at shubhapalve (at) gmail.com
