Akhtar Mengal demands 50% share for Balochistan in Reko Diq
Syed Ali Shah :
QUETTA: Chief of Balochistan National Party (Mengal), Sardar Akhtar Mengal has demanded a 50% share for Balochistan in the Reko Diq Project. Addressing a press conference on Sunday evening at his residence, Sardar Mengal stated that article 52 of the constitution guarantees the rights of indigenous people where mineral resources are explored.
“The constitution guarantees the rights of the indigenous people”, he said. Former Senator of the party Dr. Jehanzaib Badini, Malik Kakar, Agha Hassan Baloch, Malik Naseer Shahwani, and others were also present on the occasion.
BNP not to compromise over the rights of the people of Balochistan
“I have heard they are giving 25 percent share to Balochistan”, he revealed. He said the rights of the people of Balochistan would be preserved and threatened a protest movement if the government failed to protect the people of Balochistan’s rights. He said Reko Diq was producing gold, copper, and minerals, which are can be used in making mobiles, cameras, laptops, etc. He demanded the installation of the refinery at Reko Diq to make sure transparency in the exploration.
The BNP Chief recalled that gas was explored in 1952 from Sui Dera Bugti. He however lamented that the indigenous people of Sui were still deprived of gas facilities.
Rulers fail to implement six points of BNP: Sardar Mengal
He mentioned that his party had presented six points before the federal government to pave the way for a sustainable political solution of issues relating to Balochistan. “The government failed to implement out six-points”, he added.
Sardar Mengal’s demand has come days after the Balochistan Assembly held an in-camera session about the multi-billion dollar project. 42 out of a total of 65 lawmakers from the Balochistan Assembly participated in the in-camera session.
Chief of National Party (NP), Dr. Malik Baloch had also demanded of the government to make the agreement public.
