Pakistan is blessed with immense mineral wealth and their role in economy cannot be underestimated. According to ministry of petroleum development’s draft report 2003, the mining sector has the potential to reshape the economy by bringing 1.5-3 billion dollars investment amounting to 2-3 percent of the GDP along with generation of primary and tertiary economic activities coupled with community development and infrastructure up gradation in far flung areas. But this potential has remained untapped for the want of technological know-how, human capital, local expertise, capital and politics taking its course in the face of legitimate economic interests of the people.
The Reko Diq project under Tethyan Copper Company (TCC) will contribute 13 billion dollars over the years to the national exchequer, 25-75 percentage stakes share with Balochistan government along with 1.25 percent share of federal government, taxes and $1 billion investment over the first 10 years of the project and not to mentions the human resource development and job opportunities in the Chagi and Reko Diq area along with Balochistan in general. Such a project will not only bring development, a long awaited demand of people of Balochistan, but also human resource development for future projects.
Considering the potential of mining sector in Pakistan, the ongoing case against Tethyan Copper Corporation (TCC) in Supreme Court reveals the apathy of the officials toward a logical and legitimate right of people to benefit from the mining wealth of country which so far has remained untapped and shows the short term approach to national interests of the country. The politicising of a purely economic issue coupled with inciting of national sentiments in the overall framework of security situation and demands of Balochistan will bring unbearable consequences for the people and the government.
The officials must realise it is up to the nations to make history or become history but the current alignment of our policy minds is sadly bent upon making us the history. So it is a request by the writer that better sense should prevail in the overall interest of Pakistan and loyal people of Balochistan.
NASIR MAHMOOD
Islamabad