Raisani slams Mines Act as 'plunder'

QUETTA:

Senior Balochistan politician and former Senator Nawabzada Haji Lashkari Khan Raisani has strongly condemned the Mines and Minerals Act, terming it "a law for the plunder of resources" and a direct threat to the survival of future generations.

Speaking at a press conference at the Quetta Press Club alongside Barrister Muhammad Iqbal Kakar, Raisani said he had written letters to all political parties, personally approached their leadership, and urged them to act, but faced continuous silence.

"The law that was made in the assembly will be abolished from the assembly," he declared. "Political parties sitting in parliament must now play their role in fresh legislation to save the resources of our coming generations from ruthless plunder. If no concrete action is taken, we will join the people in a political, constitutional and democratic struggle to block these illegal moves and build public opinion against the Act."

Raisani recalled that the Balochistan Assembly had passed the Mines and Minerals Act on 12 March 2025, handing over complete authority over the province's land, natural and mineral resources to the provincial and federal governments. All powers for allotment of land and mineral-rich areas were given to a committee, a move he said was in clear violation of the 18th Constitutional Amendment.

"Political parties are supposed to act as a bridge between the people and the state, yet neither inside nor outside parliament have they raised their voice on this issue," he said. "It is their responsibility to protect the rights of the people through legislation in parliament."

He added that as Balochistanis, they had fulfilled their duty by raising awareness among the people and maintaining contact with political parties, leaders, lawyers, journalists and people from all schools of thought to build a united front against the Act. A constitutional petition challenging the law is already pending in court, he informed.

Raisani accused political leaders of prioritising personal and group interests over public welfare. "The Reko Diq deal had already been struck. This Mines and Minerals Act is designed to snatch Balochistan's rights," he alleged.