QUETTA: The Balochistan National Party (BNP) has strongly rejected the government’s move to amend the Balochistan Mines and Minerals Act passed by the provincial assembly in July this year, declaring the law unconstitutional and demanding its complete withdrawal.
In an official statement, the BNP said the amendments violate Article 172 of the 1973 Constitution, provincial autonomy, and the spirit of the 18th Constitutional Amendment. The party argued that the Mines and Minerals Department has managed mineral projects for the past 75 years, questioning why the government suddenly decided to alter the Act and hand over resources to the federation.
The statement reaffirmed that as a national democratic party, the BNP demands the Act’s complete annulment. It noted that genuine political forces in Balochistan have already challenged the law in the High Court, while parties inside and outside the provincial assembly have outright rejected it.
The BNP said all political groups recently held a joint meeting and unanimously dismissed the amendments, sending a clear message that extra-constitutional laws and policies will not be tolerated.
The statement urged that legislation in Balochistan must reflect consensus among all stakeholders and protect the province’s rights, rather than surrendering its resources to the federation. The BNP concluded that control over resources should remain with the people of Balochistan, not the federal government.
Earlier this week, Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti had announced that his government will reintroduce its recently passed Mines and Minerals law in the provincial assembly after objections from opposition lawmakers and industry stakeholders.
The Mines and Minerals Act, passed by the Balochistan Assembly in July, was challenged by the opposition parties, including ANP, BNP, Pakhtunkhwa MAP, National Party, JUI, and other political parties in the Balochistan High Court.
“No unilateral decision will be taken in matters concerning public interest and people’s rights,” he said, adding the legislation would now be presented as a resolution and reviewed by a joint committee of government and opposition members.
He noted that under Pakistan’s 18th Constitutional Amendment, provinces can only amend existing mining laws rather than create entirely new ones.
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Opposition leader Younus Zehri had welcomed the move, saying the government had responded constructively to concerns raised. “Mine owners have also been consulted, and their reservations have been placed before the chief minister,” he said. He expressed hope that revisions to the act would address challenges faced by both the public and the province’s mining sector.
