Balochistan to raise dedicated FC unit to secure Reko Diq region

Balochistan has decided to strengthen security around the mineral-rich Reko Diq belt by expanding intelligence coverage and establishing a dedicated Frontier Corps formation for the area, according to a provincial official. The move is aimed at protecting key sites and improving border security along the province’s frontiers with Iran and Afghanistan.

An aide to Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti, Shahid Rind, said the province is overhauling its security architecture in coordination with law enforcement and security agencies following a recent spike in militant violence. He said the government intends to work closely with companies operating in the region while improving intelligence and response capacity.

The development comes amid heightened investor concerns after a wave of attacks in Balochistan. The report said Barrick Mining Corporation has indicated it will review multiple aspects of the multibillion-dollar Reko Diq copper-gold project, including security arrangements, project timelines and budgets.

Officials said the project remains central to Pakistan’s plans to expand mineral exports and attract foreign investment, with production expectations linked to the coming years, even as security threats continue to pose risks for large-scale operations.