Quetta: A two-member bench of the Balochistan High Court, comprising Justice Muhammad Amir Nawaz Rana and Justice Sardar Ahmed Halimi, heard constitutional petitions filed by political leaders, including Nawabzada Haji Lashkari Raisani, challenging the recently passed Mines and Minerals Act of the Balochistan Assembly.
During the hearing, the court issued notices to the federal and provincial governments, the Minerals Department, and the Advocate General, and adjourned proceedings for two weeks.
Senior lawyers Muhammad Riaz Ahmed, Barrister Iqbal Kakar, and Syed Nazir Agha represented Raisani in court.
After the hearing, Syed Nazir Agha told the media that the Mines and Minerals Act was filed before the court two months earlier and has been contested on political and legal grounds.
The bench questioned whether the government had prepared its response, to which Additional Advocate General Zahoor Ahmed Baloch replied that the reply was still pending and that the matter was under discussion in the Assembly.
It was also highlighted that Raisani had recently submitted another petition seeking the court’s order to produce the executive order through which the Chief Minister had claimed to suspend implementation of the Act. The bench has now sought replies on that issue as well.
Lashkari Raisani, speaking to journalists, thanked political workers and members of civil society who appeared in court in large numbers.
He stated that the political and constitutional struggle against the Mines and Minerals Act 2025 was aimed at protecting the future of Balochistan.
He argued that looting the province’s natural wealth would leave upcoming generations deprived of their rights, turning locals into employees of multinational companies rather than owners of their own land.
Raisani expressed confidence that his movement, which united political groups and tribal leaders, would ultimately benefit the people of the province.
He added that history would judge today’s leaders, and he wished to stand among those who fought for the prosperity of future generations.
