On March 13, 2025, Mohammad Saeed Arbabi, chairman of the Board of Directors and CEO of Chabahar Free Zone Organization, met with China's ambassador to Iran, Cong Peiwu, and discussed the details of the 25-year agreement between Iran and China.
The Iranian official informed the Chinese ambassador that China's presence at Gwadar Port (in Pakistan's Occupied Balochistan) provides a strategic opportunity for linking Chabahar (in Iran's Occupied Balochistan) to Pakistan, facilitating easier access to Turkey and Europe.
During the meeting, Mohammad Saeed Arbabi elaborated on the specifics of the agreement, stating that it includes long-term investments in a petrochemical town, the construction of a smart city in this region, the development of the Makran coast (a coastal strip in the Balochistan province), the expansion and construction of airports, the design of an industrial city for automobile production, and investments in fisheries and water management.[1]
In addition, Iranian news agency ISNA reported that Arbabi stated: "If we can convince the government to initiate the Chabahar-Rimdan [border terminal on the Pakistani border] railway project and connect it to China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), it could become a major commercial opportunity for Iran." He then added: "Connecting to CPEC can contribute to Iran's security and economy."[2]
On March 13, 2025, Mohammad Saeed Arbabi, Chairman of the Board of Directors and CEO of Chabahar Free Zone Organization, met with China's ambassador to Iran, Cong Peiwu. (Source: IRNA)
Jobs May Be Assigned To Chinese Employees Rather Than To The Indigenous Baloch Population
According to Mohammad Saeed Arbabi, the development of industrial and commercial infrastructure in Chabahar could create significant economic opportunities. However, experts and human rights activists are concerned that these projects may be implemented without genuine local participation. A lack of transparency in the labor recruitment process has raised fears that new jobs may be assigned to non-local workers or even Chinese employees, instead of the indigenous Baloch population.
Another major challenge is the rising cost of land and living expenses due to these projects. Similar experiences in other free zones in Iran suggest that such developments typically lead to increased housing and land prices, which may disadvantage the local population.
The construction of a smart city and the development of industrial infrastructure in Chabahar could also lead to an influx of non-local populations, potentially altering the region's demographic composition and reducing the cultural and economic influence of the Baloch people on their own land.
Furthermore, investments in petrochemicals and fisheries could have devastating environmental consequences for the region. The destruction of marine ecosystems and the depletion of water resources could directly impact the livelihoods of Baloch communities, many of whom rely on fishing and agriculture.
The arrival of foreign investors and Chabahar's growing strategic importance could also lead to an increase in military and security forces in the region. This heightened security presence might impose restrictions on civil liberties and increase surveillance on the Baloch population.
While the 25-year agreement between Iran and China has the potential to transform Chabahar into a major economic hub, concerns remain over the lack of local participation, demographic changes, environmental risks, and heightened security measures.
On March 12, 2025, China's Ambassador to Iran, Cong Peiwu, met with the Mayor of Chabahar. Ambassador Cong Peiwu said that "China is willing to strengthen cooperation with Chabahar in relevant fields and promote in-depth and practical exchanges between China and Iran." The Mayor of Chabahar highly praised China's achievements in modernization development, and said that Chabahar city is "willing to strengthen communication and exchanges with Chinese port cities and carry out more practical cooperation to benefit the people of both countries."(Source: Mfa.gov.cn)
Pakistan Is Losing Control Over Balochistan
The Baloch people cannot remain silent against China's complete dominance over Pakistan and Iran's control over Balochistan's warm waters, the marginalization of the Baloch population, the exploitation of Baloch resources, the suppression of the ordinary Baloch, and the displacement of Baloch communities from Gwadar and Chabahar.
The Baloch guerrilla war against the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) – a project initiated by Pakistan and China – has now spread to urban areas, where Baloch fighters are targeting Chinese and Pakistani military installations. This war for Balochistan's independence has forced Pakistan into retreat, and discussions about Pakistan losing control over Balochistan have even reached the Pakistani parliament.
Several pro-military politicians of Pakistan have now openly admitted that Pakistan's grip on Balochistan has weakened, and that the Baloch people are actively supporting the independence movement and Baloch fighters. Pakistani Member of Parliament Zarfullah Zehri, speaking on the parliament floor of the house, stated: "Baloch women are selling their jewelry to support Balochistan's independence."
Earlier, speaking at a recent session of the Pakistani National Assembly, Pakistan MP Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman admitted that Pakistan lost its control in Balochistan, stating that a moment like that of 1971, when East and West Pakistan fought in the Bangladesh Liberation War, which led to the creation of Bangladesh on December 16, 1971, has arrived again.
Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman said: "I swear by my heart that, at this moment there are five to seven groups in Baluchistan who, if they retaliate, will be granted independence and the country will break once again."
Fazl-ur-Rehman has always supported the Pakistan army against the Baloch freedom movement. In his speech, Fazl-ur-Rehman informed the establishment of Pakistan that the Baloch people are becoming independent and that this development, in his view, is not good for Pakistan's future. "If districts in Balochistan announce liberation, the UN will accept their independence and Pakistan will fall," he said.[3]
The People Of Balochistan May Launch An Independence War Against The Islamic Republic Of Iran
Resistance against China and Pakistan's CPEC project in Balochistan has intensified. Baloch pro-independence armed groups have already warned China and the international community that no country should engage in trade, security agreements, or any deals with Pakistan regarding Balochistan without the consent of the Baloch nation.
Baloch analysts agree that a war against Iran could soon begin in Iran-Occupied Balochistan. Iran is aggressive and provoking the local population of Balochistan by usurping their fundamental rights. In recent months, Iran has intensified its aggression against the Baloch communities, demolishing Baloch villages and bulldozing their settlements, which has caused widespread outrage among the Baloch population. Iran's aggression has sparked concerns that the government is attempting to forcibly relocate residents in the area, particularly in anticipation of potential plans to relocate the capital to Makran, in the southern shores of Balochistan.[4]
Iran's suggestion that China should help linking Chabahar with Gwadar will only add fuel to the fire. The Baloch nation has now realized the looming threat – that Iran, Pakistan, and China have joined forces to erase their national identity, seize their homeland, and ruthlessly exploit their coasts and resources.
It is worth noticing that Baloch insurgents in Pakistan-Occupied Balochistan have attacked CPEC on numerous occasions, categorically warned China, telling Chinese President Xi Jinping to "quit Balochistan or face retaliation," and asserted that the CPEC would fail.[5]
The president of the Free Balochistan Movement, Hyrbyair Marri, has been urging global powers, including United States and the West, to immediately intervene in Balochistan to stop the looting and plundering of Balochistan's resources. To prolong its hegemony on Balochistan's coasts and seaports of Chabahar and the Gwadar, the Chinese communist government invested over $100 billion in Pakistan and $400 billion in Iran.
Baloch intellectuals and experts believe that the prime objective of China is to safeguard its oil imports and exports and use Balochistan's ports and warms waters to counter the United States of America.
In the near future, the people of Iranian-occupied Balochistan may launch an independence war against the Islamic republic of Iran. Hence, supporting the independence of Balochistan would be a breakthrough to topple the Iranian regime, and halt the nuclear ambitions of Tehran.
*Rudam Azad is a Baloch writer, Baloch representative, and Human Rights activist. He can be reached on Twitter, @RudamAzad and email rudambaloch@gmail.com.
[1] Irna.ir/news/85777045/%D9%81%DB%8C%D9%84%D9%85-%D8%AC%D8%B2%DB%8C%DB%8C%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%B3%D9%86%D8%AF%D8%AC%D8%A7%D9%85%D8%B9-%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%87%D8%A8%D8%B1%D8%AF%DB%8C-%DB%B2%DB%B5-%D8%B3%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%87-%DA%86%DB%8C%D9%86-%D9%88-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A8%D8%B1%D8%A7%DB%8C-%DA%86%D8%A7%D8%A8%D9%87%D8%A7%D8%B1, March 13, 2025.
[2] Cfzo.ir/ns/3910
[3] See MEMRI Special Dispatch No. 11848, Pakistani MP: Parts Of Balochistan Are Ready To Declare Liberation From Pakistan; 'If Districts In Balochistan Announce Liberation, The UN Will Accept Their Independence And Pakistan Will Fall', February 20, 2025.
[4] See MEMRI Special Dispatch No. 11814, Baloch Media Outlet Balochwarna: Iran's Military Forces Demolish Homes In Balochistan To Alter Region's Demographic Composition, February 4, 2025.
[5] Factly.in/a-2019-video-of-a-bla-leader-warning-china-and-pakistan-after-the-gwadar-hotel-attack-is-edited-and-falsely-linked-to-the-2025-jaffar-express-hijack, March 13, 2025.
