Quetta, February 16 – Pakistan's former Senator, Nawabzada Haji Lashkari Raisani, has strongly criticized the Mines and Minerals Act of Balochistan, arguing that the legislation is designed to "plunder" the resources of the province's future generations.
He urged lawmakers in parliament to review the legislation again to protect the assets of Balochistan, as reported by local media on Monday.
The former Senator warned that the issue would be taken to a "people's court" if corrective measures are not taken and announced that a political, constitutional, and democratic struggle would be launched with the support of the people to stop illegal actions, according to Dawn, Pakistan's leading daily.
Addressing a press conference at the Quetta Press Club, he stated that political parties would be forgotten by history and the people of Balochistan if the lawmakers of parliament do not act.
He stated that the Balochistan Assembly approved the Mines and Minerals Act in March last year, transferring the powers of land and mineral resources of Balochistan to the federal government.
He mentioned that a seven-member committee, headed by a DG-rank officer, has been given the power to allocate land and mineral areas and stressed that granting this authority contradicts the 18th Constitutional Amendment, which transfers authority to provinces.
Nawabzada Haji Lashkari Raisani stated that no political party has expressed its opinion against the Act, prompting him and his colleagues to mobilize public support.
According to him, deals over Reko Diq had already been finalized and he termed the Act as taking away the rights of the Balochistan province, as reported by Dawn. He alleged that some stakeholders were gaining behind-the-scenes benefits, including assembly seats and other favors.
He said that the plea against the Act is currently under hearing in court and mentioned that reports regarding tenders and allotments have emerged despite an executive order from the Mines Department to suspend the Act.
He requested the judiciary to play an effective role and warned that they would raise the issue directly with the masses if the parliament does not review and amend the legislation.