The government has approved a funding boost to support the security of the Reko Diq gold and copper project, amid the ongoing law and order challenges in Balochistan. The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) recently greenlit Rs1.79 billion to ensure the smooth operation of this multibillion-dollar project.
The Frontier Corps Balochistan (South), tasked with law enforcement, border control, and counter-terrorism, will oversee security measures under the Security Services Framework Agreement (SSFA) between the Reko Diq Mining Company (RDMC) and the Government of Pakistan. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) formalizes this collaboration.
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Initially, the Finance Division had allocated Rs286.987 million for these efforts, but further refinements were requested. Following multiple discussions, including reconciliations on February 6, 2025, it was clarified that funds from RDMC under “support allowance” would not cover the salaries or allowances of Frontier Corps personnel but would instead address operational expenses.
To avoid impacting the regular budget of the Frontier Corps Balochistan (South), a dedicated DDO cost center will manage all recurring and non-recurring security-related expenditures. This fund allocation ensures the safety of foreign personnel and seamless progress at Reko Diq.
The ECC’s final approval was granted based on these refinements, demonstrating a commitment to facilitating this critical mining project while addressing security concerns transparently and efficiently.
