Abdul Malik says National Party will not compromise on Balochistan’s resource rights

QUETTA: Former Balochistan chief minister and National Party president Dr Abdul Malik Baloch has said his party will not accept any compromise on public ownership of the province’s resources, constitutional supremacy, and Balochistan’s right to authority.

He said the party would not accept any mining policy that deprives the people of Balochistan of their rights.

The remarks came during a meeting of the Mining Committee constituted by the National Party at its central secretariat, which was chaired by Dr Abdul Malik Baloch. Committee members and legal experts attended the session.

Review of mining law and proposed changes

According to the details shared from the meeting, participants examined the Balochistan Mines and Minerals Act and held detailed consultations on proposed amendments to the law.

Those attending the meeting voiced serious concern over what they described as non-transparent policies and unequal agreements in the mining sector. They said these arrangements were preventing the people of Balochistan from receiving the actual benefits of the province’s natural wealth.

Dr Abdul Malik Baloch stressed that any future legislation must guarantee Balochistan’s full authority and complete control over its resources. He also said the local population must be included in matters related to the sector.

He said the National Party would complete its recommendations and place them before the relevant forums so that fair and people-friendly amendments could be introduced.

Party stance on resource ownership

Dr Abdul Malik Baloch said the objective of these amendments would be to ensure that the people of Balochistan become the primary beneficiaries of the province’s resources.

During the meeting, the committee’s discussion remained focused on legal and policy aspects of the mining framework in Balochistan, particularly the question of control over natural resources and the distribution of benefits arising from them.

The participants maintained that the province’s people should receive their due share from the natural resources found in Balochistan. They also linked this issue to broader concerns about transparency in policymaking and the terms of agreements in the mining sector.

Dr Abdul Malik Baloch reiterated that the National Party’s position was clear on the issue and that it would pursue amendments aimed at protecting the rights of the people of Balochistan within the constitutional framework.

The meeting concluded with the party’s resolve to finalise its proposals and submit them to the appropriate forums for consideration.