APC in Mardan opposes Mines and Minerals Bill

MARDAN: An All Parties Conference (APC) here on Friday backed the Awami National Party Mardan chapter’s call for the withdrawal of the controversial Mines and Minerals Bill.

Presided over by ANP district president Imran Manduri, the event was attended by representatives of political parties, traders, lawyers and civil society members.Speaking on the occasion, the leaders opposed what they described as an attempt to control the province’s natural resources, calling the bill an attack on provincial autonomy and the rights of the people.

In his welcome address, ANP district president Imran Manduri urged unity among Pakhtuns. He said that the ANP’s struggle was aimed at protecting the collective interests of the province’s residents.

He appealed to all political forces and civil society members to stand together in defense of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s resources and reject any legislation that undermines local control.The speakers said that Pakhtuns were facing serious financial difficulties. “The natural resources with which we have attached great expectations of economic prosperity are now under grave threat,” said one of the speakers.

The speakers called for abolishing the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) which they said was creating division among the people of the country. They said that there was a need for forging unity to achieve the objectives.The participants of the APC rejected the controversial Mines and Minerals Bill and said that this act was against the constitution of Pakistan, 18th Amendment and provincial autonomy.