WB likely to aid Reko Diq plan

ISLAMABAD:

The World Bank is likely to provide technical assistance for developing an integrated infrastructure roadmap and socio-economic development plan for Reko Diq and other mining sites in Balochistan, sources told The Express Tribune on Wednesday.

They said that a World Bank representative has consented to technical assistance plan in a recent meeting of the Non-Lending Technical Assistance Committee (NLTAC) held at the Economic Affairs Ministry.

The NLTAC discussed a proposal from the Petroleum Division of the Energy Ministry to seek technical support from the World Bank for the development of an integrated infrastructure roadmap and socio-economic development plan for the Reko Diq and other mining sites in Balochistan.

The meeting, chaired by the economic affairs secretary, received a briefing from the petroleum secretary, who stressed the need for incorporating socio-economic uplift through community and infrastructure development, while safeguarding environmental aspects in ongoing mining operations.

Pakistan's mining industry is currently at a nascent stage, with very few medium-to-large scale projects. Pakistan has recently developed a harmonised legal and regulatory framework aligned with international best practices, according to a source.

"There is a need to address environmental, social, and economic aspects at all phases of mining operations—from exploration and extraction to processing and site closure — for which the proposed technical assistance is being sought from the World Bank, the sources said, quoting from the briefing.

The World Bank representative, the source said, informed that the proposed technical assistance would be arranged by the World Bank at its own end, with no financial liability on the part of the government of Pakistan.

However, after the finalisation of plans under the NLTA, any subsequent development projects might be considered either under the World Bank support or through the private sector, following prescribed government procedures.

The World Bank representative agreed to a Planning Ministry's proposal for hiring a consultancy firm and the internal discussions on the matter to determine the actual requirements of experts. The Petroleum Secretary said that the concept paper was at the finalisation stage.

The committee agreed to forward the request of the Petroleum Division to the World Bank for the requisite technical assistance. It was also agreed that the Petroleum Division would share the concept paper with terms of reference for consultants who would be engaged through the World Bank.