Skepticism about the Reko Diq agreement
Editorial :
Chief of National Party (NP), Dr. Abdul Malik Baloch has demanded of the government to make all details about the multi-million project public. Dr. Baloch’s demand has come a couple of days after an in-camera session about the Reko Diq project in the Balochistan Assembly.
The former CM has also revealed that the government had also invited him to participate in the in-camera session of the assembly. Although he said neither he was a lawmaker nor a minister, therefore, he stayed away from the session.
During the in-camera session, 42 out of a total of 65 legislators of the Balochistan Assembly participated in the briefing. It was a 10-hour long session. Three insiders of the briefing told this daily on the condition of anonymity that every lawmaker put almost five-question each.
In-camera briefing was satisfactory: three opposition lawmakers said
The lawmakers from the opposition revealed that the officials from Islamabad thoroughly briefed them and addressed their questions in what they term in a satisfactory manner. The provincial government from chief minister Quddus Bizenjo to the spokesman government of Balochistan has termed it a major step about the gold and copper project. They argued that the government was not hiding anything rather the house was taken into confidence regarding the proposed agreement.
Former Chief Minister Balochistan, Nawab Aslam Raisani preferred not to participate in the in-camera session. In a statement, Nawab Raisani expressed concern about the proposed agreement. The Balochistan National Party (Mengal) lawmaker, Sanaullah Baloch was not present in the session. After social media reports, Mr. Baloch issued a statement that he was abroad and that was the reason behind his absence. Nevertheless, Sanaullah Baloch stated that the speaker had better given one week’s time rather than only one day’s notice about the session.
Sardar Rind demands a truth commission about Reko Diq
Sardar Yar Muhammad Rind, the PTI Balochistan leader has also demanded a truth commission about the Reko Diq project. Indeed, after a fine of 6 billion $ by the World Bank’s International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes against Pakistan, there is the justification of Sardar Rind’s demand.
The Balochistan government and the federal government must ensure a due share of Balochistan in the multi-billion dollar project. Similarly, the rights of the indigenous people of Reko Diq Chaghi should also be protected as a priority in any future agreement.
