CM denies secret deal on Reko Diq gold project

QUETTA:

The Balochistan Chief Minister, Mir Abdul Qudoos Bezenjo has rejected the opposition parties’ allegations that any secret deal was signed on Reko Diq Gold Project and said Reko Diq agreement was not kept secret.

“The elected representatives of opposition and government have been given a detailed briefing on the progress done so far on Reko Diq projects,” he said, adding that the rights and interest of Balochistan would be protected at all cost.

Speaking to the media after inaugurating the first parking plaza in Quetta, he said that Reko Diq project is very important and in the in-camera session the legislators of the province have been informed about each and every detail about the project.

He said that the opposition and treasury benches appreciated the government move to hold in-camera briefing about the Reko Diq and indeed they had demanded it.

He said that the lawmakers who had attended the in-camera briefing have been elected by the people of Balochistan so they are public representatives.

The CM said that nothing was kept secret from the elected MPAs as the present government does not believe in taking any decision behind closed doors.

“Whatever progress has been made was revealed in the briefing by the concerned officials,” he said.

Bezenjo said that the government had lost the case in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and huge fine was imposed on the government of Pakistan and Balochistan as a result.

He said that in the earlier agreement which was signed by previous government in 90s the Balochistan share was not cleared.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 30^th, 2021.