Raisani wants provincial government’s control over Reko Diq gold project

Baloch Hal News

ISLAMABAD, Dec 2: Highlighting the need for conceding the right of ownership of the Balochs on Reko Diq in order to mitigate the unrest in Balochistan, Chief Minister Nawab Muhammad Raisani has asked the federal government to take immediate measures to address the grievances of the people of Balochistan.

He made this demand in a meeting on Wednesday with Sardar Asef Ahmad Ali, Deputy Chairman Planning Commission.

The CM reminded Mr. Ali that every component of the Balochistan coalition government had unanimously supported the government in its demand that Deko Diq project should be handed over to provincial government as Balochistan government would explore resources on its own to run the multi-billion gold and copper project The income coming from this project would be spent on the uplift of the people of the province, he held.

The previous government of Jam Mohammad Yousaf of the Pakistan Muslim League, through its “ill-conceived policies”, inked agreements with foreign companies without even taking the major political parties in confidence, he said, adding that these agreements were not in the interest of the people of Balochistan in any way.

“These projects have generated a sense of deprivation among the people of Balochistan. The agreements executed with foreign companies should be reviewed and the charge of Reko Diq project should immediately be handed over to Balochistan government,” demanded Raisani.

Sardar Asif Ahmad Ali assured the provincial Chief Minister that federal government was reviewing all the aspects of the matter and certain recommendations had been presented in high-level meeting on the project. These proposals would be sent to provincial government soon, he informed.

Chief Minister Balochistan also met renowned nuclear scientist Dr Samar Mubarak and asked him to extend technical cooperation to government of Balochistan in connection with Reko Diq project.

Provincial Finance Minister, Mir Aasim Kurd and Information Minister Muhammad Younis Mullazai accompanied the Balochistan Chief Minister during the meeting.