Critics warn Balochistan’s Mines Act undermines provincial autonomy and may shift control of strategic minerals to the federal government
WEB DESK: The Mines and Minerals Act in Balochistan has triggered sharp controversy, with critics alleging the law allows the federal government sweeping control over the province’s mineral wealth a move they describe as a “plunder” of resources belonging to present and future generations.
Former senator Nawabzada Haji Lashkari Raisani, speaking at the Quetta Press Club, condemned the legislation passed by the Balochistan Assembly on March 12 last year, calling it a mechanism to transfer authority over land and minerals to the Centre.
The dispute centres on a provision creating a seven-member committee, led by a director-general rank official, empowered to allocate land and mineral concessions. Opponents argue this contradicts the 18th Constitutional Amendment, which devolved key powers including most mineral control to provinces.
Raisani warned the Act was “designed to plunder resources of future generations” and alleged undisclosed arrangements linked to the Reko Diq copper-gold project. He also claimed some stakeholders gained political benefits for backing the law.
A constitutional petition against the Act is before the courts. Though the Mines Department reportedly suspended the law, continued tenders have raised implementation concerns, highlighting wider tensions over resource control and provincial autonomy in Pakistan’s Federal System.
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