Pakistan, July 16 -- The security alarm around Saindak should trouble Islamabad for reasons that go well beyond one mine. State Minister for Interior Talal Chaudhry says authorities have ordered increased deployment around the copper and gold project after supply routes in Balochistan came under pressure. Saindak Metals Limited has denied reports that operations could be forced to shut down, insisting the project remains uninterrupted. Even so, the fact that furnace oil movement, transport confidence and route security have become urgent questions is warning enough.

There should be no ambiguity about the first principle. Armed attacks on workers, convoys, infrastructure and economic projects are indefensible. The state is obliged to prot...