Manan Mandokhail:
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QUETTA: Opposition lawmakers opposed the passage of the Reko Diq bill from the Balochistan Assembly. The session of the assembly resumed here with the deputy speaker Balochistan Assembly, Sardar Babar Musakhail in the chair. “This is an attempt to usurp the rights of the people of Balochistan”, Muhammad Akbar Mengal, the Balochistan National Party (Mengal) said while speaking on a point of order on Tuesday evening. However, Balochistan Minister Noor Muhammad Dumar, who belongs to the ruling Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) said the house had adopted the resolution in the presence of opposition lawmakers. He termed the Reko Diq agreement a historic agreement, which preserves the rights of the people of Balochistan.
The debate comes three days after the passage of the resolution
The debate in the assembly has come three days after the house adopted a resolution entrusting some taxation powers to the federal government in the Reko Diq project. “Rulers should stop exploiting the resources of Balochistan”, Akbar Mengal stated. Although, Chief Minister Balochistan, Mir Quddus Bizenjo claimed to have taken opposition lawmakers on board with regard to the tabling of the resolution in the assembly.
CM Bizenjo claims to have convinced the opposition about the passage of the resolution
The CM said the opposition’s misunderstandings about the resolution have been removed and grievances addressed. However, Akbar Mengal claimed that the treasury members passed the bill in the darkness of night and deceived the people of Balochistan. Balochistan National Party (Awami) lawmaker and provincial minister of Agriculture, Asad Baloch strongly criticized prime minister Shehbaz Sharif and said that the latter was inaugurating motorways in Sindh and giving a cold shoulder to Balochistan. “We also demand a motorway in Balochistan”, Mr. Baloch said. Due to a lack of quorum, the chair announced the adjourning of the Balochistan Assembly session.
