By Manan Mandokhail:
Senior Balochistan politician and former senator Nawabzada Lashkari Raisani has announced that he will challenge the recently passed Mines and Minerals Act 2025 in court, calling it unconstitutional and against the interests of the people of Balochistan.
Speaking at a press conference at the Quetta Press Club, Raisani criticized the Balochistan Assembly for passing what he called a “cruel and exploitative law” that threatens the constitutional rights of the people over their natural resources.
“This law is part of a conspiracy to seize control of Balochistan’s resources. We will never accept it,” said Raisani. “We will raise our voice on both legal and political fronts.”
Criticism of Assembly and Call for Democratic Resistance
Raisani also questioned the credibility of the opposition in the Balochistan Assembly, saying:
“There is no real opposition; everyone seems to be on the same page. If there is a genuine opposition, they should bring the bill back, reject it, or resign. The public’s emotions are being played with.”
He urged youth, political workers, and civil society to join a peaceful, democratic struggle against the act and protect Balochistan’s mineral wealth from what he termed “external control and exploitation.”
Nationwide Appeal for Support
Appealing to all political parties, civil society groups, and aware citizens, Raisani called for united action:
“This is not just a legal battle; it is a fight to defend the rights of the people of Balochistan.”
The Mines and Minerals Act 2025, recently approved by the provincial assembly, has sparked growing concern among activists and lawmakers who view it as a threat to local ownership of natural resources.
