Islamabad: The US-Pakistan mineral deal faces strong opposition from the Baloch community, with local leaders like Mir Yar Baloch labelling it as a “strategic mistake” , a report cited on Saturday. He warned that the deal would embolden Pakistan’s military and intelligence services and deepen the marginalisation of the people of Balochistan.
“When Pakistan signed its minerals and mining deal with the United States, officials in Islamabad may have considered it an economic breakthrough, a way to court American capital and diversify alliances beyond Beijing. Yet, underneath the fanfare lies a grim reality grounded in the complex and violent history of Balochistan — a region that has persistently confounded grand development projects and foreign investors alike,” an India Narrative report highlighted.
“Over decades, multinational corporations such as Barrick Gold and China Metallurgical Group have inked deals promising local development. Yet, the region remains one of Pakistan’s poorest and most disenfranchised, fueling deep distrust among the Baloch people,” it added.
The report stated that the Saindak copper-gold project, run by Chinese firms for over a decade, has yielded significant extraction. However, according to the locals, there is hardly any improvement in basic infrastructure or job prospects. At the same time, it stated that the Reko Diq mine, one of the world’s largest copper-gold deposits, has been plagued by disputes over revenue distribution, with most profits benefiting the central authorities and foreign stakeholders, fueling feelings of deprivation and betrayal among the people of Balochistan.
China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a $60 billion project under Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), aimed at transforming Pakistan’s infrastructure and economy, has instead triggered violence, particularly in Balochistan.
“Pakistan’s army has tried to secure Chinese interests in Balochistan, but attacks and violence have only increased, rendering parts of CPEC projects useless and undermining investor confidence. Suppression, as history shows, simply drives resistance underground, making genuine development impossible,” the report mentioned.
According to the report, US President Donald Trump’s recent announcement to tap Pakistan’s oil and mineral wealth is to seek economic gains and strategic leverage to offset Beijing’s global influence on critical minerals. The Pentagon explicitly challenges China’s monopoly over rare earths, significant for military technologies and drone fleets, as Washington strives to strengthen domestic capacity and diversify its supply chains.
However, the report stated that, despite Pakistan’s claims, its proven oil reserves are relatively modest — estimated between 234 million and 353 million barrels — far from “massive” and significantly smaller compared to India. This indicates that the US’ true interest lies in critical minerals: copper, gold, and rare earths, much of which is located in the politically volatile region of Balochistan.
“For the United States, the lure of minerals and the promise of strategic advantages are strong. But if Washington does not learn from Beijing’s hard-earned experience and ensure projects address the grievances of the Baloch people, any new mining or oil venture is likely to descend into the same quagmire: violence, stalled infrastructure, and mounting resentment,” the report highlighted.
With its economy on the brink and heavy debt burdens, Islamabad may accept any offer that provides short-term respite, even if it leads to instability or adverse effects. “But these deals, struck without local consent or transparency, seem destined to repeat the mistakes of the past — stoking resentment and insurgency rather than creating lasting stability or prosperity,” the report noted.
(IANS)
