Balochistan High Court Freezes Mines and Minerals Act; Lashkari Raisani Hails Move as Triumph for Provincial Rights

Independent Report
QUETTA, Feb 26: The Balochistan High Court has ordered a one-week interim suspension of the Mines and Minerals Act after a constitutional petition was filed challenging the legislation.
Petitioner Nawabzada Haji Lashkari Raisani welcomed the development, calling it a significant win for the people of Balochistan and a step forward in safeguarding the province’s interests. He said the court’s ruling underscores the outcome of his sustained efforts on the matter.
While speaking to journalists on Thursday, Raisani explained that he had been left with two possible courses of action — to either take the issue to court or present it before the public. He noted that attempts were made to address the matter through political channels, but in the absence of meaningful headway, he opted to seek judicial recourse.
According to Raisani, the High Court’s decision to suspend the implementation of the Act for one week affirms that his concerns hold legal merit. He stated that although it had been decided two to three months earlier that the Mines and Minerals Act would undergo review, no practical progress materialized, compelling him to move the court.
He stressed that any legislation governing Balochistan’s natural wealth must prioritize the protection of local interests, uphold public rights, and guarantee provincial ownership over resources. In his view, the court’s intervention sends an encouraging signal that constitutional mechanisms remain effective in defending the province’s rights.
Raisani further called on the government and concerned authorities to swiftly introduce necessary amendments to the Mines and Minerals Act to ensure transparent management of provincial resources and eliminate any legal ambiguities that could compromise public interest.