Mines and Minerals Act Put on Hold as Ziaratwal Declares Court Order Boost for Provincial Autonomy

Independent Report
QUETTA, Feb 26: A court has postponed the enforcement of the Mines and Minerals Act for one week after taking up a constitutional petition that challenges the legislation in Balochistan.
Petitioner Abdul Rahim Ziaratwal, Central General Secretary of the Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party, welcomed the development, describing it as a positive step toward protecting Balochistan’s interests and defending the rights of its people.
Addressing the media, Ziaratwal said the temporary suspension indicates that his position carries constitutional and legal substance, and reflects the judiciary’s seriousness regarding provincial autonomy and local concerns. He emphasized that the issue extends beyond procedural aspects, touching directly upon constitutional guarantees and the rights of the province, which necessitate judicial scrutiny.
He contended that the Mines and Minerals Act compromises provincial autonomy and alleged that the provincial cabinet endorsed the law in contravention of constitutional provisions. According to him, the legislation shifts provincial authority to the federal level, limiting local communities’ control over natural resources and negatively impacting public rights within the province.
Ziaratwal stated that the court’s intervention affirms the effectiveness of legal mechanisms in safeguarding constitutional and regional interests. He urged the provincial government to handle the matter with transparency and fairness, ensuring that provincial rights remain central in any future legislative measures.
Reiterating his stance, he asserted that Balochistan’s natural wealth rightfully belongs to its people and cautioned that centralized control or exploitation at the federal level would be contrary to local interests. He also called upon citizens to remain united in pursuing constitutional and lawful avenues to protect the province’s resources.