Bugti, JUI-F agree to form committee over Muslim Bagh chromite mines dispute

QUETTA: Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti and the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) leadership on Tuesday agreed to set up a committee to address the dispute over the allotment of chromite mines to a non-local person in Muslim Bagh, located in Qila Saifullah district.

The understanding was reached during a meeting attended by a JUI-F delegation headed by the party’s provincial emir, Senator Maulana Abdul Wasey. Tribal elders and leaders from various political parties also took part in the meeting.

According to a statement issued by the JUI-F, the allotment had triggered strong resentment among local tribes in Muslim Bagh. The statement said local tribal communities reacted sharply after the matter came to light, describing the decision as a violation of their rights and holding protests against it. "In view of the situation and concerns of the tribal elders, the government decided to suspend the disputed allotment of the mines area, calling it unfair, indicating that the contested allotment had been put on hold," The JUI-F statement said.

After the issue surfaced, the JUI-F delegation led by Maulana Wasey held a detailed meeting with the chief minister. The discussions covered local ownership of natural resources, provincial autonomy and the protection of public interests.

During the meeting, Chief Minister Bugti told the delegation that the provincial government and the JUI-F were on the same page regarding the protection of public rights. He said non-local elements would not be given preference in the province’s resources under any circumstances and added that such matters would be handled in a transparent and fair way.

Joint body to review dispute

The chief minister also announced the formation of a joint committee comprising government representatives, tribal elders and other relevant stakeholders. The committee will examine all aspects of the matter and present recommendations aimed at safeguarding local rights, ensuring equitable distribution of resources and promoting sustainable development.

Maulana Wasey thanked the chief minister following the meeting and said the JUI-F would continue to speak up for public rights and back every step taken in the interest of the people of the province.

He also stressed that residents of local areas, including Muslim Bagh, hold the primary claim over natural resources and said there could be no compromise on that principle.

The development comes after unrest linked to the disputed chromite mines allotment in Muslim Bagh, where local tribes had objected to the grant of mining rights to a non-local individual.