Proposed minerals bill: Governor wants consensus evolved

PESHAWAR: Governor Faisal Karim Kundi on Friday called for an urgent meeting of all stakeholders to develop a clear and people-friendly strategy regarding the proposed Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Mines and Minerals Bill, 2025.

He emphasized that all political parties must be taken into confidence and political differences should be set aside for the greater good of the province.A handout said that the governor was speaking to a delegation from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minerals Association led by Afsar Muhammad at the Governor’s House.

The delegation briefed the governor about their concerns over the proposed legislation, saying that it was not beneficial for the province and could worsen the situation in an already troubled region.

The delegation mentioned that despite assurances from the chief minister during a previous meeting, no concrete steps had been taken.The governor pointed out that following the 18th Constitutional Amendment, the Mines and Minerals was a provincial matter. He criticized the provincial government for not safeguarding the interests of the people.

The governor said that security and other challenges were obstructing the province’s development. He urged the chief minister to summon a joint meeting of parliamentary leaders of political parties and officials from the Law Department to finalize a comprehensive plan, which should then be presented at the relevant forum in Islamabad.

He said that PPP parliamentary leader in KP Assembly Ahmad Karim Kundi had also highlighted the bill in a press conference and assured the delegation that he would personally forward their concerns to the concerned authorities.