Balochistan protests against extension in mining lease

Says centre did not consult province before taking decision

ISLAMABAD:

The government of Balochistan has lodged a complaint with the central government for the latter’s failure to bring the province on board before giving an extension in mining lease of the country’s first and largest gas field in Sui.

The protest came after the central government allowed a one-year extension in the mining lease contract for Sui, which is in Balochistan and is meeting the needs of consumers for more than six decades.



In a meeting held on October 7, Petroleum and Natural Resources Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, however, clarified that notwithstanding any provision of the constitution and its interpretation, the federal government wanted to take the government of Balochistan into confidence while arriving at a final decision on extending the Sui mining lease.



He said the extension decision was taken on the last day prior to the expiry of the lease and that too was only for one year in the larger national interest as an interim arrangement to avoid the disruption in gas supply. “This interim arrangement will remain in place only until the resolution of outstanding issues,” he said.

Abbasi assured Balochistan of maximum cooperation and facilitation in reaching a sustainable solution and finding a way forward according to the constitution of Pakistan and applicable laws and rules.



Reposing trust in policies of the federal government, Balochistan Chief Minister Abdul Malik Baloch stressed that the provincial government would reciprocate in the same manner. However, he insisted that constitutional rights of the province should be safeguarded and protected.

He was of the view that the extension in Sui mining lease should not have been granted without prior consultation with the Balochistan government.

Instead of undertaking such steps, the chief minister said he would prefer engaging the provincial cabinet and the assembly to arrive at a final decision in a democratic manner.



“Though I don’t agree with the interim extension in the Sui mining lease, the government of Balochistan does not want to create hurdles or disrupt gas production and desires an amicable and workable way forward,” he remarked.

The chief minister suggested that the issue of mining lease would only be discussed with a representative of the federal government and not with the field operator, Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL).

He proposed that a working group should be constituted comprising representatives of the federal and provincial governments. He also called for holding regular meetings of the committee to come up with a solution.

Does Islamabad really care about Balochistan?

The working group will frame recommendations for consideration of the respective governments.

The chief minister proposed that Balochistan’s representative in the PPL board of directors should be a nominee of the province to ensure that its rights were protected and ensured. “The Balochistan government only wants what is rightfully its share under the constitution,” he said.

Petroleum Minister Abbasi, while praising the chief minister’s understanding of the issue, agreed to the proposal of setting up a working group to resolve the matter.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 27^th, 2015.

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