In an official statement, the spokesperson for the Baloch National Movement (BNM) warned foreign companies eyeing Balochistan’s resources to refrain from considering investments in the region. He stated that Balochistan is engaged in a struggle for independence from Pakistan, and any deals made with irrelevant authorities seated in Islamabad are completely unacceptable to the Baloch nation.
He further noted that the two-day Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum 2025, held in Islamabad on April 8–9, focused heavily on Balochistan’s mineral wealth. Shortly after the event, the Canadian company Barrick Gold Corporation—part of the Reko Diq joint venture—announced that the venture had approved the project’s latest feasibility study. According to Barrick Gold, the project is expected to enter major construction phases later this year, with the first production milestone targeted for the end of 2028.
The spokesperson emphasized that Barrick Gold’s management has repeatedly been urged to refrain from investing in Balochistan. He also appealed to the Canadian government to take notice of the colonial behavior exhibited by the company, which, despite being well aware of the region’s volatile situation, continues to push forward with investment plans. This attitude, he said, clearly shows that profit is the company’s only concern—not human lives. In Balochistan, such investments are not development projects but rather contribute to the further shedding of Baloch blood. The security guarantees being offered by Pakistan’s Army Chief are meant to suppress political voices so that Pakistan, with the help of global partners, can loot Balochistan’s natural resources without resistance.
He criticized the Prime Minister of Pakistan for publicly declaring at the forum that “he considers investors as his masters.” He described the statement as shameful and indicative of a servile mentality, asserting that such submissiveness might reflect the mindset of a Punjabi leader, but it is entirely unacceptable to the Baloch nation. He emphasized that the Baloch will neither surrender control over their resources nor accept anyone as their master in exchange for money.
The spokesperson also pointed out that representatives of Barrick Gold, along with delegates from the United States, China, Saudi Arabia, and Wood Mackenzie, were present at the conference. These entities are interested in exploiting Balochistan’s mineral resources, estimated to be worth $6 trillion. He accused the Pakistani state of using these resources as bribes to prevent international scrutiny of its actions in Balochistan. While the military commits genocide and crushes political freedoms in the region, such foreign investments will only deepen the humanitarian crisis. “We appeal to the international community to halt this destructive course.”
He added that the Pakistani state is not only targeting Balochistan but is also attempting to exploit the resources of Pakhtunkhwa without the consent of the Pashtun nation, through the involvement of global corporations. He criticized the proposed Mines and Minerals Bill 2025, describing it as a deliberate attempt to strip the Pashtun nation of its rightful control over natural resources. BNM stands in full solidarity with the Pashtun national position and firmly demands recognition of their inalienable rights over their land and resources.
Similarly, he pointed out that six new canals are planned on the Indus River in Sindh to serve military projects, which will exacerbate the already dire water shortage for Sindhi farmers. BNM supports the Sindhi nation’s stance against this plan as well.
He concluded by stressing that this is the time for oppressed nations to unite in resisting the plunder of their resources. “Our struggle is shared. We must fight it together on every front. If we remain divided today, it will benefit the occupying Pakistani state, which seeks to divide and rule over oppressed nations, looting their lands and natural wealth and selling them off at throwaway prices—as it has done since the first day of its existence.”
The spokesperson ended the statement with a clear declaration:
“No matter how powerful, any force that threatens the interests of the Baloch nation will be met with resistance.”
