ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Thursday issued notices for November 24 to the federation, the Balochistan government and the concerned company over a contract worth $260 billion for the exploration of Reko Diq mines.
A three-member bench headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry issued notices upon a constitutional petition filed by Advocate Tariq Asad against giving away contracts of the gold and copper mines at Reko Diq in Balochistan to foreign companies at throwaway prices.
Through his petition he requested the court to direct the federation not to sell the mineral deposits of gold and copper. Asad requested the court to call the whole record of the deal/executory agreement, if any, with respect to the sale of gold and copper mines to the TCC or any other foreign companies, as well as lease deed, from the respondents.
Besides, a direction was sought for respondents to refrain from issuing the licence of mining in an arbitrary and unlawful manner and without the consultation of the parliament and the Balochistan government. He further requested that respondents be asked to explain as to why the mining process could not have ever been carried out by the ministry of petroleum and natural resources and mining department.
The petitioner questioned the selling of gold mines worth $260 billion (rather due to the rise of the prices of gold and copper, the total yield could be even $500 billion or may be a trillion dollars) to the foreign companies at a very low price.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 12th, 2010.
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