New mineral policy this year, CM tells lawmakers

Kamal says govt taking steps for optimum use of natural resources

QUETTA: The Balochistan government will take practical steps for the optimum use of the natural resources of the province and introduce legislation in the provincial assembly in this regard, Chief Minister Jam Kamal has said.

Addressing the Balochistan Assembly, Kamal reiterated that protection of the province’s natural resource remained a priority of his government. “We are working on legislation to protect our natural resources,” he said.

“We can defend our land and natural resources through laws and without legislation we can’t dream of providing a better future to our coming generations,” the chief minister told the house.

Kamal said the government had introduced a law barring all foreign companies and individuals from getting ownership of land in the province.



He said the government had been taking bold decisions for the development of the mineral sector. “Rules for this sector were framed in 2002 but no government updated them. The government has been working on a new mineral policy and in 2019, we would frame a new mineral policy,” he said.

“The government has offered facilities to the local mine owners,” the chief minister told lawmakers. He said, “The government has issued notices to 350 mine owners for ignoring safety measure for labourers.”

Giving reasons for introducing a new mineral policy, the chief minister said, “We cannot lease out our mining fields on cheaper rates,” adding that the government had been generating annual revenue of Rs2.5 billion only which was not enough for the provincial economy.

He stressed the need for using modern technology in the mining sector. ”The province can gain lucrative profits by using modern technology,” he said. “The government has also decided to organise a seminar on mineral resources. It will help attract foreign investment in this sector.”

He told the provincial lawmakers that the government was looking into all major issues facing Balochistan -- whether it is a building authority or tourism or the Balochistan Revenue Act – in order to generate more revenue.

About reforms in the Local Governments Act, Kamal said the government was working on new measures and amendments to the relevant laws would be presented in the assembly for approval.

Criticising the previous governments, the chief minister said that the province did not witness good governance during the past two decades. “The province’s issues cannot be resolved unless there is economic stability,” he said, adding, “The present government seeks to provide a better governance system to the masses.”