SC declares agreement signed for ‘Reko Diq’ is legal

• The SC while announcing its unanimous verdict in the presidential reference seeking its opinion on the matter.
• Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial announced that 13-page verdict.
• The SC also shared that the agreement was not against the environment.

ISLAMABAD: Supreme Court of Pakistan declared the agreement signed with the Canadian company Barrick Gold Corporation for the development of the Reko Diq mine in Balochistan legal.

While announcing unanimous verdict of the SC in the presidential reference seeking its opinion on the matter, the court said that the constitution does not allow legislation against national assets, adding that the provinces can make changes in the laws related to minerals.

“There is nothing illegal in the new agreement,” said the court. It added that the agreement was not against the 2013 verdict given by the top court.

Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial released the 13-page verdict which was reserved a week ago.

The SC also shared that the agreement was not against the environment.

The court also noted that the experts had informed it that the agreement was inked between the federal and provincial governments. However, once the Balochistan Assembly was taken into confidence they backed the agreement.

“As per the Riko Diq agreement, most workers will be Pakistanis. This is not for a single person but for Pakistan. There is nothing illegal in this agreement,” said the court.

The court stated that Barrick Gold Corporation has assured it that labour laws will be implemented and the company will also fulfil its social responsibility.

“The foreign investment bill is not exclusively for Barrick Gold. The foreign investment bill is for companies that will invest more than $500 million dollars,” said the court.

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Earlier in March 2022,  Imran Khan, who was the prime minister at the time, announced the successful agreement with the Canadian firm for the development of the Reko Diq mine in Balochistan, saying it will create 8,000 new jobs for the people.