Frequent attacks on coal trucks pose risk to Pakistan’s CPEC ambitions: Report

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Updated: July 02, 2023 5:23 PM IS

Balochistan (Pakistan), July 2 (ANI): The frequent attacks against the coal trucks in the Balochistan region is affecting Pakistan’s economy and also poses a risk to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), Asian Lite reported.
at least 20 coal trucks were reportedly set on fire by the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) in Harnai, Balochistan on Tuesday.
The report highlighted that armed Baluchi rebels are systematically targeting Pakistan’s energy sector by attacking coal mines in Balochistan province, where resource nationalism is rife.
These trucks were reportedly transporting coal to thermal power stations in Punjab. The motorcade belonging to the deputy commissioner of Harani was also attacked by the BLA fighters.
“Baloch Liberation Army freedom fighters attacked a convoy of the Deputy Commissioner and vehicles carrying looted Baloch national resources in Harnai last night. A suspected individual was also arrested,” Asian Lite quoted BLA as saying in a press release.
Highlighting the modus operandi, the BLA statement added: “The main road was blocked overnight and at least 20 vehicles involved in looting Baloch’s natural resources were destroyed.”
Qazi Rehan, spokesperson for the Baloch National Movement (BNM), said that coal from the Chamalang mines in Balochistan is transported to various cities in Punjab for industrial and electricity generation purposes.
“This activity has been a source of constant conflict between the Baloch nation and Punjab since the 1970s. In the past, some Baloch sardars wanted to assert authority over these resources and collaborate with the Punjab people for industrial development, but the fighters Balochs have been resisting this through continuous attacks,” Rehan was quoted as saying by Asian Lite.
Notably, coal trucks and mineral wealth have been repeatedly attacked in the Balochistan region. Coal trucks in Balochistan were also attacked earlier this month.

June 1, 42 coal trucks from the Harnai and Duki coalfields were held at gunpoint on the Harnai road. The Baloch fighters opened fire puncturing the tires and damaging the trucks.
This resistance to the exploitation of mineral wealth has affected Pakistan’s economy in the past and will continue to affect the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which has at least six coal-fired power plants out of a total of 21 power plants, Asia lite reported.
The frequent attacks on coal trucks have shaken the Pakistan Coal Suppliers Association and the Good Transport Association. He has called on Islamabad to provide adequate security for truckers and coal supply companies.
Citing the Dawn report, Asian Lite claimed that the associations have claimed they are “paying Rs 230 a tonne to the Frontier Corps (the Pakistani paramilitary forces that protect Balochistan) for providing security for trucks transporting coal to other cities” and have threatened to stop doing it. coal supply.
Baloch resource nationalism was also evident on June 28, after an explosion occurred at an ammunition warehouse linked to the Saindak mining project in Balochistan, injuring three soldiers and a guard.
Saindak’s management stated in a press release that a sudden explosion occurred at a Wah Noble Company ammunition warehouse in a mountainous area five kilometers from the Sendak project and township, Asian Lite reported.
The statement added that the explosion at the ammunition store could have been caused by an electrical short circuit or by the heat of the sun.
Pakistan has ceded the Saindak gold and copper mines to the Chinese company Metallurgical Corporation of China (MCC), a subsidiary of China Metallurgical Group Corporation. The Saindak mines are located in the Chagai district, near the border between Afghanistan and Iran.
Incidentally, the series of attacks is also driving fissures between the various ethnic communities in a “highly radicalized Pakistan”, as some people have claimed that Pashtun employers and workers are being targeted in attacks against coal trucksAsian Lite reported.
These incidents have sparked outrage and many have also blamed Pakistani security forces for usurping Pashtun resources by allowing attacks on trucks. (ME TOO)