Baloch Leaders Urge Foreign Investors to Respect Local Consent in Resource Exploitation

Washington, November 13 (Daily Kiran) : Baloch American Congress President Tara Chand has issued a strong appeal to international investors, urging them not to engage in resource extraction agreements with the Pakistani government without the genuine consent of local communities in Balochistan.

In a letter addressed to the United Nations and the international community, Chand emphasized that despite Balochistan’s rich natural resources, its residents continue to suffer from poverty, unemployment, and a lack of basic services.

“Balochistan is our ancestral homeland,” he remarked. “It is abundant in gold, copper, precious minerals, and boasts a strategic coastline. Yet, our people endure poverty, unemployment, and a dire shortage of essential services like clean water, schools, and hospitals. Our land is rich, but our people are poor.”

Chand cited the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as a cautionary example for international investors. He warned that projects initiated without local approval could face significant opposition, potentially jeopardizing investments.

“The CPEC serves as a warning to international investors,” he stated. “We believe that projects launched without the consent of the Baloch people have led to resistance and serious challenges. CPEC illustrates the risks involved in investing without local support.”

He called on investors from the United States, Canada, Saudi Arabia, China, Europe, and other nations to refrain from making agreements with the Pakistani government regarding Balochistan’s resources unless they secure meaningful consent from the local population.

Chand also appealed to the United Nations and global governments to support the human rights, freedoms, and the right to peaceful self-determination of the Baloch people, including their aspirations for independence.

“We are not against investment; we are against exploitation,” he asserted. “When the people of Balochistan are in a position to decide their future, they will welcome responsible international investors. Such investments can create jobs, improve education and healthcare, and foster prosperity for future generations.”

He concluded with a powerful message: “No investment without consent. No development without justice. No lasting prosperity without freedom. Balochistan is our homeland. Its resources belong to the Baloch people, and they should determine its future. A free and prosperous Balochistan could become a vital economic partner for the world.”