K-P parties unite against mines bill
All major political parties in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, including the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, have unanimously rejected the proposed Mines and Minerals Bill.
Terming the bill a direct attack on the 18th Constitutional Amendment, provincial autonomy, natural resources, and the authority of the provincial assembly, party leaders warned of strong opposition if the government attempts to pass the legislation.
The consensus was reached during an All Parties Conference (APC) organized by the Awami National Party (ANP) at Bacha Khan Markaz in Peshawar. The meeting was chaired by ANP's provincial President, Mian Iftikhar Hussain, and attended by leaders and representatives of all major political parties in the province.
Participants resolved that, if necessary, they would not only pursue legal avenues but also launch public protests to resist the bill.
The proposed Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Mines and Minerals Bill 2025 was discussed in detail during the APC . Key participants included Maulana Attaur Rehman (Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam), Muhammad Ali Shah Bacha (Pakistan Peoples Party), Bushra Gohar (National Democratic Movement), Ali Asghar Khan, Arbab Sher Ali, and Shakeel Khan (PTI), Professor Ibrahim (Jamaat-e-Islami), Murtaza Javed Abbasi (PML-N), Tariq Ahmed Khan (Qaumi Watan Party), Muhammad Ali (Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party), Adil Mehmood (Mazdoor Kisan Party), Khurshid Khan (Pakhtunkhwa National Awami Party), and Barrister Inayatullah (Awami Workers Party).
Representatives from the Chamber of Commerce, legal community, mining experts, trade organizations, the Mines and Minerals Association, civil society, and ANP's central and provincial leadership also attended.
At the end of the conference, a unanimous joint declaration was issued with the approval of all participants.
Mian Iftikhar Hussain read out the joint declaration, stating that the APC completely rejects the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Mines and Minerals Bill 2025.
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