PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has strongly reacted over criticism against proposed Mines and Mineral Act 2025 saying entire mafia is opposing the Act that regulates natural resources.
Leaders and members of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly associated with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) are strongly opposing the proposed bill and terming it surrendering the provincial resources.
In a statement, he said that some people are doing negative propaganda against the Mines and Minerals Act for their political purposes.
Gandapur said that it is only a propaganda that KP government is handing over control and authority of its resources to the federal government adding that if anyone has some knowledge, then prove it.
CM informed that he will meet PTI founder Imran Khan soon, and all the issues regarding the Mines and Minerals Act will be clarified.
Without naming the Jamiat Ulema Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Gandapur said that in Balochistan, his party voted in favour of the bill but opposing the same bill in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
“I am responsible for my province, and we know how to protect the rights of our people”, Gandapur said.
He claimed that the Balochistan government has surrendered its authority to the centre in the Mines and Mineral Act but we opposed handing over authority to the federal government in the proposed Act.
It is pertinent to mention here that the members of ruling PTI has voiced concerns about the proposed bill and announced that they will not vote in fovour of the bill without Imran Khan’s instruction.
The Mines and Minerals Act was tabled in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa assembly on April 4, which was opposed by members of the treasury and opposition benches and termed it against the rights of the province.
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According to proposed bill, the Mines and Minerals Act recommended the establishment of licensing and exploration sections at the directorate of the mines and minerals directorate as well as a mines and mineral force in the province.
