The Baloch Liberation Army's hijacking of the Jaffar Express could intensify the growing mistrust between China's policy circles and Pakistan's security apparatus, as Beijing remains increasingly concerned over its vast investments in Balochistan.

Chinese officials continue to voice concerns over the deteriorating security situation in the region, despite Pakistan's deployment of the Special Security Division (SSD) - a 15,000-strong force dedicated to protecting Chinese personnel involved in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). However, there are deepening doubts within China about Pakistan's ability to ensure security in the volatile province.

In 2017, China proposed establishing joint security ventures with private security firms to protect Chinese nationals in Pakistan. However, Pakistan rejected the proposal, citing concerns over sovereignty and implications for bilateral relations. The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) and other insurgent groups in the region view Chinese investments as complicity in the Pakistani military's oppression of the Baloch people. The BLA's persistent attacks on Chinese nationals working on CPEC projects, including a major attack in August 2023, underscore this resistance.

The BLA's actions are part of a broader movement by Baloch insurgents, who have long fought against the exploitation of their resources by Pakistan's military and Punjabi elite. With the escalation of Chinese involvement in CPEC, the BLA has increasingly targeted China, viewing it as a partner in the exploitation of Balochistan's wealth.