Pakistan’s former senator Nawabzada Haji Lashkari Raisani has strongly condemned the Mines and Minerals Act in Balochistan, accusing it of being designed to exploit the province’s resources for future generations. Raisani has called for a review of the legislation by lawmakers to safeguard Balochistan’s assets, as per local media reports. He warned of resorting to the “people’s court” if corrective actions are not taken, vowing to launch a political and democratic struggle with public support to prevent illegal activities, as reported by Pakistan’s leading daily Dawn.
During a press conference at the Quetta Press Club, Raisani emphasized that history would forget political parties and the people of Balochistan if parliamentary members fail to act. He highlighted that the Balochistan Assembly had approved the Mines and Minerals Act in March last year, transferring control of the province’s land and mineral resources to the federal government. Raisani raised concerns over a committee, led by a high-ranking officer, being granted authority to allocate lands and mineral areas, citing a contradiction with the 18th Constitutional Amendment that delegates power to provinces.
Nawabzada Haji Lashkari Raisani pointed out the lack of opposition from political parties to the Act, prompting him and his associates to mobilize public support. He criticized the finalized deals over Reko Diq, labeling the Act as detrimental to Balochistan’s rights and alleging undisclosed benefits received by certain stakeholders, such as assembly seats and favors. Raisani mentioned an ongoing court hearing on the plea against the Act, despite reports of tenders and allotments following an executive order from the Mines Department to suspend the legislation.
Raisani urged the judiciary to play a proactive role and cautioned that the issue would be escalated directly to the masses if the parliament does not reconsider and amend the legislation.
