Syed Ali Shah:
Quetta, February 28, 2026 — The Balochistan High Court on Friday directed the Government of Balochistan to submit a formal executive order to support the Chief Minister’s claim regarding the delay in implementation of the Mines and Minerals Act 2025.
The direction was issued during the hearing of multiple constitutional petitions challenging the Act, which petitioners have termed unconstitutional. A division bench headed by Justice Muhammad Kamran Malakhail observed that statements made at press conferences cannot substitute an official government notification.
During the proceedings, the court was informed that a petitioner had submitted newspaper clippings stating that the Chief Minister had announced the suspension of the Act’s implementation through an executive order and its referral back to the provincial assembly. The bench, however, questioned whether any such written order existed.
The court instructed the provincial government to place the relevant notification on record and to submit a written response in this regard. Government counsel sought time to obtain instructions.
Lawyers representing the petitioners stated that they would consider waiting for the completion of the legislative process if an official order was produced before the court.
The hearing was adjourned for one week.
