“The Balochistan government, at this point in time, is not ready to continue with TCC because it has violated the Pakistan Mines and Minerals Rules, and the Balochistan Mines and Minerals Rules,” he said while briefing the media on the issue at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat.
Dr Malik said the International Court for Settlement of Disputes, after hearing the case for 15 days, had termed the issue ‘complicated’ and advised all parties involved to work out an out of court settlement. He added that the government-constituted committee, which comprises both provincial and federal officials, would decide a course of action in the best interest of Balochistan and Pakistan.
The chief minister expressed displeasure over allegations levelled against his government by opposition and nationalist parties. The latter has accused the Balochistan government of reaching some compromise over the Reko Diq mines.
“We have not made any kind of deal with TCC,” the chief minister said in plain words. “We are not ready to sell a single rock from Balochistan, much less Reko Diq which is an asset of the people of the province,” he said.
“So making a deal on the project is out of the question.”
The chief minister added that he would take up the issue of allegations against him and his government in court. “I won’t go into details about the allegations, but I will say that I have the documents and record of the opposition leader and two news presenters who made them,” he told reporters.
Dr Malik said there would be complete transparency whenever a final decision regarding Reko Diq is reached. He said both the Balochistan and federal government were on the same page regarding the project.
“International legal experts who were fighting on behalf of the government have worked day and night to protect the interest of the people of Pakistan,” he said.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 12th, 2014.
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It is hard to understand why the Chief Minister of Balochistan has gone into a defensive if his consience is clear. He should have the capacity to bulldoze through. Again it may be difficult for him as 50% of the mineral wealth belongs to the Center. Over and above this 50%, the Federal Government is beneficiary of taxes etc and therefore in actual sense, Balochistan will be left with less than 25% of whatever that is decided in the final settlement.
If TCC disagrees to what is said by Dr Shahid Masood, they should file a defamation case against him as the paymaster and those at the receiving end are equally responsible for the misdeed.
Best of luck to you Mr CM
We are so going to lose this mine! I can bet on it! All Pakistan is going to get from it will be the gold glitter!
This treasure does not belong to anyone. It is from Allah and should be used to benefit the whole of Muslim Ummah.
It must be declared a strategic asset and used sensibly. After all it is real wealth not paper or electronic money.
Why out of court settlement. This another chance to make billions by intermediators and corrupt bureaucracy.
Why out of court settlement? Who will ensure transparency Mr. CM?