Reko Diq deal: Govt attempts to address allied parties’ concerns 

• JUI-F and BNP-M had raised concerns over Reko Diq deal
• Allied parties decide to boycott cabinet meetings
• BNP-M chief said Balochistan was deprived of its rights

ISLAMABAD: The federal government attempted to allay the concerns of allied parties who expressed reservations over the multi-billion Reko Diq agreement in Balochistan.

Two allied parties of the ruling coalition – Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) and Balochistan National Party (Mengal) – have raised concerns over the Reko Diq project agreement.

The party’s ministers also staged a walkout from federal cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. They opposed the Foreign Investment Bill passed by the Senate and said they were not taken into confidence on Reko Diq deal.

The government assured to address their concerns and make amendments to the bill. However, the parties decided to remain absent from cabinet meetings until their reservations are addressed.

Federal Ministers Ayaz Sadiq and Azam Nazir Tarar held talks with JUI-F and BNP-M leaders to allay their concerns over the new agreement that has been approved by the Supreme Court and the federal cabinet.

During the meeting, the federal minister discussed the reservation of the coalition parties on the Foreign Investment (Amendment) Act, 2022 which favours the Reko Diq agreement to protect foreign investment.

The allied parties expressed resentment for not being taken into confidence related to the bill. They said the bill is against the 18^th Amendment and provincial autonomy.

The federal minister said the government is for amendments in the bill. Law Minister Tarar said he stand by his assurances given on the floor of the National Assembly.

BNP-M chairman Akhtar Mengal also lashed out at the federal government for not taking his political party into confidence over the Reko Diq project.

Mengal said their people of Balochistan were deprived of their due rights in the project.  He said Balochistan could not be treated as a business partner to get a share from the project.  He added the mines belong to people of Balochistan and they have the first right to benefit from the project.

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