The Balochistan government has decided to halt enforcement of the recently approved Mines and Minerals Act, 2025, after widespread political and public criticism.
The decision was announced by Chief Minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti while speaking to the media outside the assembly building. He was flanked by leaders from both ruling and opposition parties.
The act has been challenged in the Balochistan High Court by several former leaders, political parties, and lawyers who argue it violates the rights of the people of Balochistan and undermines the province's control over its natural resources.
The chief minister explained that although the assembly had endorsed the act, a large number of political groups, both inside and outside the legislature, voiced objections. "To address their concerns, the government has suspended its implementation through an executive order."
The chief minister also announced that a special parliamentary body, consisting of lawmakers from the government and the opposition, would be set up to recommend changes so the law better reflects the expectations of the people.
An official, who also spoke at the briefing, praised the chief minister's step, saying it was in response to legitimate concerns raised by political parties and civil society.
He noted that the act sparked controversy since its passage in March, as critics believed it violated fundamental rights of the people and weakened local control over resources.
Soon after its approval earlier this year, the law triggered strong protests both within the assembly chamber and outside.
Opposition parties and community representatives repeatedly demanded its withdrawal, arguing it gave excessive authority to the state and ignored the rights of the people. By holding its implementation in abeyance, the government has signaled its willingness to review the legislation and bring necessary amendments through wider political consensus.
The parliamentary committee's future recommendations will be crucial in reshaping the act and determining how the province manages its mineral resources in a way that satisfies both governance requirements and public demands.
Meanwhile. the chief minister announced a transformative investment initiative with the launch of a Rs5 billion shrimp farming project in Damb, Hub.
The agreement, a public-private partnership, is set to revolutionise the province's fisheries sector, enhance export capacity, and generate thousands of employment opportunities for the youth.
The announcement came during a signing ceremony held at the Chief Minister's Secretariat, where a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was inked between the Balochistan Board of Investment, the Fisheries Department, and a consortium comprising House of Kasib, Dhabeji Aqua Food, and Alkaram Textile Group.
Chief Minister Bugti emphasized Balochistan's vast natural resources and strategic investment potential. "Balochistan is a peaceful, secure, and investor-friendly province," he added, reaffirming his government's commitment to facilitating both domestic and international investors.
He highlighted fisheries, agriculture, and mining as key sectors ripe for development.
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