Federal Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said in matters relating to natural resources of Balochistan, the federal government and the Ministry of Petroleum will provide support and facilitation to the Balochistan government.
While chairing a meeting with a visiting delegation of Balochistan government led by Chief Minister (CM) Dr Abdul Malik Baloch, Abbasi said all decisions related to minerals and other natural resources of Balochistan are to be taken by the Balochistan government.
“The constitution is clear in this regard and the ministry desires to facilities the Balochistan Government. It is now the responsibility of the Balochistan government to take wise and long-term policy decisions in the best interest of the people of the province and the federation of Pakistan as a whole,” the minister stated.
Prominent lawyer and former caretaker law minister Ahmer Bilal Soofi gave a detailed presentation to the meeting on the legal issues relating to the Reko Diq project.
Balochistan CM Dr Abdul Malik said, “We will not go into the past. We have a relationship of trust with the present federal government of PML-N and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif”.
“We will go ahead with this mutual trust for the betterment of the people of Balochistan and will protect the interests of the province,” he pledged.
He shared with Abbasi the problems and constraints faced by the people of Balochistan and the provincial government on various issues
Responding to the CM’s observations, Abbasi said the Reko Diq project was vital for the country. He said the project was highly technical and should be taken up on a commercial basis. He advised that legal and technical consultants of international repute be hired to address details of the terms of agreement of the project. The minister emphasised that long-term and consistent policy measures must be taken to win the trust of the investor, as rapid policy changes dilute the interest of the investor.
Centre, Balochistan govt set up joint working group on Reko Diq
The federal and Balochistan governments agreed to set up a joint working group on the Reko Diq Gold Project in Chaghi, Balochistan.
The understanding was reached during a meeting between Minister of State for Natural Resources Jam Kamal Khan and Balochistan Chief Minister (CM) Dr Abdul Malik in Islamabad on Saturday. The CM said an international technical and legal expert will be appointed for this project.
The minister of state for natural resources assured that the federal government would support all decisions made by the Balochistan government.
