KP lawyers to challenge proposed law on mines and minerals

PESHAWAR: The lawyers in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have raised serious concerns over the proposed Mines and Minerals Bill and announced to move the court of law against it.

The Peshawar High Court Bar Association has called a general body meeting on April 16 to discuss the issue. The meeting has been convened following a formal requisition submitted by Ejaz Mohmand Advocate, which was endorsed by hundreds of lawyers.

The requisition stated that the provincial government was attempting to pass the controversial bill through the provincial cabinet and assembly without due debate or consultation. Terming it a constitutional issue, the lawyers argued that the proposed legislation was tantamount to surrendering the province’s mineral resources to the federal government. “This is an injustice to the people of the province,” the requisition read, adding that such legislation cannot be passed against the will of the people.

All opposition parties in the province have reportedly expressed opposition to the bill, while divisions have also emerged within the ruling party over the proposed legislation. Critics claimed that if passed, the bill would strip the provincial government of its control over mineral resources.

“The protection of the province and its mineral wealth is a collective responsibility,” the requisition emphasized. It also questioned the timing of the bill’s presentation, coinciding with the visit of a US delegation, suggesting it raised serious concerns and suspicions.

Lawyers accused the provincial government of playing a “double game” by pushing the bill forward. They argued that the province had full rights over its minerals — excluding oil and gas — and alleged that the bill was aimed at paving the way for the federal government to take control of the province’s strategic mineral resources.

According to the requisition, the legislation could result in the division of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa into three zones for administrative control over mineral resources. The upcoming general body meeting will discuss and finalize the legal community’s future course of action.