Reko Diq Project: BA in-camera session discusses for 10 hours
Syed Ali Shah :
The Balochistan Assembly has thoroughly discussed the multi-billion dollars project for 10 hours during an in-camera session on Monday. 42 members from the treasury and opposition benches participated in the session, the Spokesman government of Balochistan said in a statement.
“Every member put almost four to five questions about the proposed agreement”, an insider of the in-camera session told Quetta Voice. He said the members expressed reservations about the interests of the people of Balochistan. However, those briefing the lawmakers satisfied us with their thorough answers, he mentioned.
Balochistan to be given 25 percent share: the meeting was told
The additional attorney general, officers from finance, and other relevant departments thoroughly briefed the lawmakers about the project. “50 percent share would be given to the company and 50 percent the center and province”, another lawmaker said. He said a 25 percent share would be given to Balochistan under the proposed agreement.
The Balochistan Assembly’s in-camera session was held after the lawmakers from the opposition expressed serious reservations about the proposed agreement in the first week of December. The opposition had demanded of the government to arrange an in-camera briefing about the project.
All lawmakers to be taken on board
“All opposition and treasury members would be taken on board about any agreement”, the Balochistan government spokesman mentioned. He said the credit goes to the present government for organizing the in-camera session for the lawmakers.
Besides 25 percent of the share, the Balochistan government would also impose almost 13 percent taxes on the multi-billion dollars project, the meeting was told. The lawmakers had shown their concern about the share of Balochistan, rights of indigenous people of district Chaghi, etc during the session. “The government would preserve the interests of people of Balochistan”, the Spokesman reiterated.
Nawab Raisani reportedly boycotts the session
Former Chief Minister, Nawab Muhammad Aslam Raisani reportedly boycotted the in-camera session. The younger brother of Mr. Raisani, Nawabzada Lashkari Raisani has also opposed the in-camera session and termed it an attempt to deceive the people of Balochistan.
The international arbitrary court regarding investment had imposed a fine of 6 billion dollars on the government of Pakistan. However, Pakistan had challenged the decision and on September 16, 2020, the court ruled in the favor of Pakistan. The case is still under trial in the international arbitrary court for settlement of investment disputes across the globe.
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