Latest News

Militant attacks in Pakistan hold-up launch of China-backed airport, state sources

The start of operations at a Chinesefunded airport in Pakistan's Balochistan province has been pressed back for a security review after recently's fatal attacks by separatist militants in the location, government and air travel sources said.

More than 70 people were eliminated in the coordinated attacks throughout Balochistan, where militants seeking the resource-rich region's secession have actually been targeting federal government forces and tasks being established as part of the $65-billion China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

Part of President Xi Jinping's Belt and Road Initiative, the programme in Pakistan is likewise establishing a deep-water port close to the new $200-million airport in Gwadar, a joint endeavor between Pakistan, Oman and China that is close to conclusion.

It will manage domestic and international flights, according to Pakistan's Civil Air travel Authority (CAA), and will be one of the nation's greatest airports.

The initial strategy was for Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to inaugurate the airport on Aug. 14 alongside Chinese officials, but that was called off after an ethnic Baloch rights group started a sit-in protest, the authorities stated.

Following recently's attacks, the most dangerous in years, two officials at the CAA and 2 others in the Balochistan provincial government informed Reuters the start of flights would be postponed as authorities review security in the area.

The Chinese currently had concerns about the security scenario, and the current attacks will definitely cause more hold-up, one senior provincial federal government official said, asking for privacy due to the fact that of the level of sensitivity of the matter.

Asked about the delay and security issues, China's Foreign Ministry stated: China is willing to deal with the Pakistani side to continue to do an excellent task in the relevant security work and make sure the safe and smooth development of the corridor construction.

A provincial government spokesperson declined to comment and Pakistan's information minister did not respond to an ask for a comment.

Although no Chinese jobs were targeted in the current militant attacks, they have been often attacked in the past by the insurgents, who view China as a foreign invader attempting to gain control of the region's resources.

It is not clear whether Beijing has used Pakistan direct assistance on the security management of Chinese projects.

Special Chinese security teams worked closely with Pakistani security companies to trace the insurgents behind a suicide battle which targeted Chinese teachers in the southern city of Karachi in 2022.

The Baloch Freedom Army (BLA), one of several separatist militant groups associated with the low-level revolt for decades, claimed responsibility for last week's attacks.

Pakistan's army stated on Friday it had started intelligence based operations against the militants to react to the assaults.

(source: Reuters)