Pakistan PM: Separatist forces aim to destroy China-Pakistan Economic Corridor

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that armed forces have carried out a series of large-scale attacks in the southwestern province of Balochistan aimed at destroying and blocking economic development projects that are part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.
According to Voice of America, the Balochistan Liberation Army, which is seeking independence in Balochistan province, launched multiple attacks on August 25 and 26. Apart from attacking Pakistani security forces and police in many places, they blocked vehicles, killed passengers, and damaged infrastructure such as highways and railways. At least 73 people were reported killed in the attack.
It was the Balochistan Liberation Army's largest offensive in years, and Pakistani security forces immediately retaliated. A statement from the Pakistani military revealed that 14 soldiers and policemen were killed in the attack, and 21 militants were killed. In addition, 38 civilians were killed in the attack.
"Terrorists are trying to block the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and development projects," Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif said in a televised cabinet meeting on August 27. He said that the armed forces are trying to break the line between Islamabad and Beijing.
Balochistan province is rich in resources and is also one of the important areas of economic cooperation between China and Pakistan. China has invested in the construction of a port in Pakistan and the development of a gold mine and a copper mine.
The construction of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, which has been under construction for many years, is expected to reach 65 billion dollars, which is one of the key projects in the so-called "One Belt, One Road" plan proposed by Xi Jinping.
Reuters reports that Pakistan has sought Chinese funding and other assistance as it has been unable to build the infrastructure needed to unlock the resources of the impoverished province of Balochistan. This weakness of Pakistan is exactly the opposite of Xi Jinping's so-called "One Belt, One Road" plan. But since the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor passes through Balochistan province, it has faced strong opposition from pro-independence forces in the region.