Qaseem Shah:Â
QUETTA – The Balochistan Assembly has unanimously passed the Balochistan Mines and Minerals Act 2025, a controversial bill that transfers significant mineral rights from the provincial government to the federal government, sparking widespread criticism and renewed debate over provincial autonomy.
Opposition Backs The Act
The bill was presented by Provincial Finance Minister Mir Shoaib Nosherwani during a special Ramzan session of the Assembly, which lasted over four hours. The session was attended by lawmakers from major political parties including the National Party, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI), and various mine owners from across the province.
Despite the bill’s unanimous passage, it is now facing strong opposition from parties that initially supported it, including the JUI-F, National Party, and ANP.
Now Opposition Terms It Against 18th Amendment
These parties argue that the act violates the 18th Amendment, which declares minerals a provincial subject, while only allowing advisory roles for the federal government.
Critics have also raised serious concerns over the bill’s new financial requirements. The previous bank guarantee for mineral exploration in Balochistan was Rs. 40,000, but under the new act, the amount has been raised to Rs. 10–20 million, potentially excluding local investors and favoring large corporations.
Moreover, the bill lacks clear guidelines for local employment, corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives like building roads and schools, and a transparent royalty mechanism to benefit the province. The involvement of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) in managing Balochistan’s natural resources has further alarmed stakeholders.
Experts and community leaders fear that without proper checks and local participation, this law could deepen economic disparities and disempower the people of the province.
As the Balochistan Mines and Minerals Act 2025 moves toward implementation, calls are growing louder for amendments that prioritize provincial rights, local development, and economic inclusion.
