• CM Bugti warns of using all constitutional, legal ways to recover dues
• Cabinet okays amendments to agricultural rules

QUETTA: Emphasising the need for protecting Balochistan’s rights, the provincial cabinet on Friday expressed serious reservations and dismay over continued delay in the renewal of Sui mining lease agreement with Pakistan Petroleum Ltd and decided to take up the matter with the federal government for a fair and favourable settlement of the issue.

The meeting, presided over by Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti, the issue which has been pending since long and regretted that despite repeated requests the PPL was not holding negotiations to renew the agreement.

While briefing reporters after the meeting, provincial government spokesman Shahid Rind revealed that the lease with PPL had expired 15 years ago.

Despite generating billions of rupees in revenue, PPL has failed to pay the province its rightful share, leaving provincial authorities frustrated over the lack of progress, he added.

“The cabinet has serious reservations over nonpayment of dues by the PPL,” Mr Rind stated, adding that the government is prepared to use every legal and constitutional way to recover the outstanding amount.

CM Bugti reaffirmed his commitment to the cause, assuring the cabinet that his government would approach the federal authorities on this issue.

“If we don’t see progress soon, I will call a special session of the assembly and cabinet to intensify our efforts,” the spokesman quoted the CM as saying.

The cabinet also addressed other key issues facing the province.

A significant decision was the approval of amendments to the Agricultural Production General Rules 1995 and the adoption of the Balochistan SME Development Strategy aimed at boosting small and medium enterprises in the province.

The cabinet also approved an amendment to the Reko Diq ML 20 Mining Licence, signalling progress in the province’s resource management.

The cabinet extended the ban on hunting for another 10 years and announced plans to engage local tribal communities through a jirga to ensure habitat conservation and protection of endangered species.

A parliamentary committee, including ministers Bakht Mohammad Kakar and Noor Mohammad Dammar along with Adviser Nasimur Rahman, was formed to oversee this initiative.

Besides, the cabinet okayed the payment of outstanding dues to farmers for the wheat purchased by the government and endorsed the Public Gathering Assembly and Procession Act 2024, which stipulates that protests and demonstrations must take place at designated locations and require prior approval from the deputy commissioners concerned.

This measure is intended to regulate public gatherings and maintain order, the cabinet was told.

In the final move, the cabinet approved the Balochistan Land Revenue Amendment Act 2024 to streamline land administration in the province.

Published in Dawn, December 7th, 2024