China is trying to build two new naval bases in Pakistan

Islamabad – China has invested $62 billion in Pakistan under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Accordingly, China is running various projects in Pakistan’s Balochistan, and China and Pakistan claim to develop the Gwadar port. However, there were reports that China was engaged in building a naval base in Gwadar Port of Balochistan under the guise of CPEC. However, Baloch organisations have accused China of trying to make two more naval bases in Pakistan.

Moreover, the US and its allies have been closely watching Gwadar port in Pakistan’s Balochistan, and hence, China will use this port for commercial purposes. However, focusing the world’s attention on Gwadar, Baloch organisations have accused China of secretly building new naval bases in Jiwani and Sonmiani. Besides, Jamal Nasir Baloch, head of the Foreign Affairs Department of the Free Baloch Movement (FBM), claimed that the Chinese submarines would be based in Sonmiani.

Additionally, sensing that Chinese merchant ships moving from the Persian Gulf to the South China Sea could threaten the safety of ships and fuel tankers, China will use Gwadar port for trade traffic. Simultaneously, Jamal said that China was making Jiwani and Sonmiani ports as naval bases to protect this port. He also drew attention to the meeting of military officials of China and Pakistan at Jiwani port in 2018.

Meanwhile, Pakistan was preparing to move closer to the US by keeping its distance from China. During this time, China had stopped the work of the Jiwani and Sonmiani ports. Nonetheless, after Pakistan again turned to China, the work of Jiwani and Sonmiani port was resumed. While local people strongly oppose China’s investment in Balochistan province, Baloch insurgent groups have also targeted Chinese officials, engineers and Pakistani soldiers. A few days ago, Baloch rebels had asked China to complete the work started on the Balochistan project within 90 days.