QUETTA: Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti has announced the formation of a joint committee to review controversial clauses in the Balochistan Mines and Minerals Bill. The decision follows a heated session in the provincial assembly on Friday that saw opposition members walk out in protest.
The opposition strongly objected to several clauses reintroduced into the Mines and Minerals Bill. These clauses had earlier been removed by the committee. National Party leader Dr. Abdul Malik Baloch accused the government of betraying the opposition’s trust.
“This is not just legislation. It is a betrayal of the opposition’s confidence,” Dr. Baloch said. He called the move a serious violation of parliamentary norms. “We will never compromise on Balochistan’s coast and resources,” he added.
JUI-F MPA Zabid Ali Reki also boycotted the session. He said the government had imposed one-sided decisions and refused to listen to the opposition.
In response, CM Bugti defended the government’s conduct. He said the administration had always tried to take the opposition on board. “The speaker will investigate how the removed clauses were reinserted,” he said. “We will form a joint committee with opposition members to review the disputed sections.”
Also Read: Balochistan Assembly approves several resolutions in Friday session
The incident has raised fresh questions about transparency in legislation and control over Balochistan’s natural resources.
