ISLAMABAD (PEN) : Recent reports alleging the deployment of Chinese private military contractors (PMCs) in Balochistan to protect China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects have been strongly rejected by Pakistan’s government. Officials have dismissed these claims, labeling them as part of a broader disinformation campaign orchestrated by India.
India’s Allegations: A Propaganda Attempt
The claims, which were propagated by Indian media outlets, including India Today, suggest that Chinese PMCs have been sent to Pakistan to safeguard CPEC infrastructure and Chinese nationals working on these projects. However, Pakistani authorities have swiftly denied these reports, categorizing them as false and deliberately misleading.
Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that no such deployment of Chinese military personnel has occurred in the country, except for the security teams already stationed in specific cities like Lahore and Karachi. These false narratives, authorities argue, are part of a calculated attempt by India to destabilize the region by spreading disinformation.
The Role of Indian Media and Social Platforms
According to the Pakistani government, the dissemination of these fabricated stories is not just limited to mainstream media in India but has also been amplified on various social media platforms. The banned Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), a separatist group active in Balochistan, has reportedly used its social media presence to echo these claims, further fueling the narrative of foreign military involvement.
Officials contend that this is not the first time Indian media has spread such baseless information. Similar tactics were employed following the terrorist attack on the Jaffar Express, where misleading reports were also circulated in an attempt to provoke unrest and create confusion.
Pakistani Government’s Response
In response to these allegations, Pakistani authorities reaffirmed their commitment to national security, insisting that no foreign forces, including Chinese security personnel, have been deployed beyond those assigned to protect specific business interests in urban areas.
The government also warned that these disinformation tactics are part of India’s broader strategy to derail Pakistan’s efforts to maintain stability, especially in the resource-rich province of Balochistan. Pakistani officials have long accused India of backing separatist groups in Balochistan, a claim that has gained further attention after the confession of Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav, who revealed the extent of India’s involvement in funding and arming insurgent groups in the region.
A Broader Geopolitical Context
This latest wave of propaganda is seen as part of an ongoing effort by India to influence the political and security situation in the region. Pakistan has stressed that such disinformation campaigns aim to distract from its progress in Balochistan, where significant infrastructure development linked to CPEC is underway.
While these reports continue to surface, the Pakistani government remains firm in its position, emphasizing that any attempt to destabilize Balochistan or undermine its development through fabricated stories will not succeed.
