Fazlur Rehman rejects K-P's minerals bill, calls it threat to provincial autonomy

JUI-F chief accuses federal govt and global powers of trying to seize control of Pakistan’s natural resources.

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Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Wednesday denounced the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government's proposed mines and minerals bill, calling it “unacceptable” and a violation of provincial autonomy.

Speaking at a press conference in Peshawar, Fazl accused both the federal government and "international powers" of attempting to seize control of Pakistan’s natural resources. He warned that if “sensible decisions” were not taken, his party would take to the streets in protest.

“This legislation undermines the 18th Amendment and infringes upon the rights of provinces,” Fazl said. “We will not allow the Centre or any foreign power to lay claim to our resources.”

He alleged that the federal government had devised alternative legal mechanisms to bypass constitutional safeguards, pressuring provinces into forming new authorities to manage their mineral wealth.

“If any country wants to invest, it must approach the provincial government through the Centre and respect local conditions,” he added.

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The proposed bill, introduced by the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in the K-P Assembly, has sparked criticism from opposition parties and within PTI itself. Critics argue the law risks centralising control of KP’s resources and weakening provincial authority.

The K-P government has defended the bill, saying it aims to regulate investment, curb illegal mining, and attract foreign interest in the province’s mineral sector.

Fazl also commented on the security situation in K-P, urging the government to engage in dialogue with Afghanistan and establish a clear policy for the repatriation and registration of Afghan refugees.

His remarks followed reports that PTI founder Imran Khan, currently in jail, had instructed his party not to approve the legislation without his consultation with Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and other political leaders.