Balochistan Guarantees Investor Security and Hospitality, Says CM Bugti

ISLAMABAD: Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti has assured domestic and foreign investors of a secure and investor-friendly environment in the province, saying the government, with the support of local communities, is committed to facilitating investment and protecting investors.

Addressing the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum 2026 here on Thursday, Bugti said Balochistan was not only rich in natural resources but also had a strong tradition of hospitality, tolerance and honouring commitments.

To illustrate the character and culture of the people, he shared the example of the Reko Diq project, saying that when Barrick Gold returned to the project after more than a decade, its abandoned camp was found intact. Not even a T-shirt or a cup of tea had gone missing despite the camp remaining vacant for years without a security guard.

“This is Balochistan, and this reflects the true traditions, culture and hospitality of its people,” he said.

The chief minister said local communities were central to discussions about investment and security. The people of Balochistan welcomed national and international partners and wanted investors to explore the opportunities available in the province.

He said the provincial government’s policy was to involve local communities, win their confidence and create a safe and favourable environment for investors and business partners.

Bugti said both the federal and provincial governments were fully committed to maintaining law and order, adding that security institutions had the required capacity and resources. A separate security division had been established to protect the mineral corridor, while a new Frontier Corps wing was also being formed to provide comprehensive security to investors across the province, particularly in mineral-rich areas.

He observed that the main challenge to investment in Balochistan was not necessarily security but the gap between the province’s negative public image and ground realities. Negative perceptions, he said, often spread faster than facts, while media coverage did not necessarily reflect the true picture of the entire province.

Reassuring investors, he said the provincial government would fulfil its responsibility to protect their investments and provide a conducive business environment.

Vast Opportunities in Minerals, Oil and Gas

The chief minister said Balochistan was rich in minerals, oil and gas, offering extensive opportunities for investment in its natural resources.

He described the Reko Diq project as a prominent example of the province’s mineral potential and said it was expected to commence operations by 2029.

Bugti also expressed optimism about potential oil and gas discoveries in the Saruna area of Balochistan, saying encouraging news was expected in the coming months. According to available information, the estimated reserves there were greater than the historic gas reserves at Sui, which had played a major role in meeting Pakistan’s energy needs for more than seven decades.

He said the provincial government, in collaboration with the federal government, was planning to establish a Fertiliser City in Sui. The area has low-BTU gas reserves that could be utilised effectively for industrial and agricultural purposes.

Inviting investors to participate in this and other industrial and mineral projects, Bugti said the government would provide not only security but also the necessary civic amenities and infrastructure according to investors’ requirements.

No Room for Red Tape, One-Window Facility Promised

Bugti said security and guarantees for investment were the foremost demands of investors, adding that he was providing these assurances on behalf of the provincial government, federal government and people of Balochistan.

He made it clear that investors would not face bureaucratic hurdles or red tape in the province, as a one-window operation would be introduced to facilitate all necessary processes.

The chief minister also highlighted the provincial government’s legislation on the mining and minerals sector, describing it as an important step towards promoting investment.

He said the Balochistan Assembly had passed the Mines and Minerals Act with consensus among all political parties, keeping it aligned with Pakistan’s broader legal and policy framework. The legislation aimed to ensure transparency, facilitate business and establish a clear regulatory system for investment in the minerals sector.

Bugti urged local and international investors not to judge Balochistan solely on the basis of media reports or negative perceptions. Instead, he invited them to visit the province, interact with its people and assess the available investment opportunities firsthand.

He said the Balochistan government wanted to work with investors as genuine partners rather than merely at an administrative level, enabling the province to utilise its natural resources and generate new opportunities for economic activity, employment and development.