Latest news with #MinesandMineralBill
Express Tribune
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Fazl slams 'collapse of law & order'
The Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Wednesday strongly criticized the government over the deteriorating law and order situation, warning that armed groups were "roaming freely" in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), Balochistan and Sindh, extorting money from the public. Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, the JUI-F chief rejected the Mines and Mineral Bill passed by the Balochistan Assembly, and announced that explanations had been sought from certain party lawmakers in the province who voted for the legislation. Fazl also announced that the party would organize Palestine solidarity marches on April 27 in Lahore, May 11 in Peshawar, and May 15 in Quetta. He said that the Pakistanis would raise voice in favour of the Palestinian people, who were facing Israeli barbarism. The JUI-F chief expressed concerns over the poor law and order in the country. "Armed groups are roaming freely in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan and Sindh, and they are extorting money from the business community, while the government is not providing any relief," he said. He alleged that the current government had failed to protect the lives and property of the people. "There is no government writ anywhere in K-P. The situation in K-P, Balochistan, Sindh is indescribable. Parents cannot send children to schools, the business community is worried." He told reporters that the JUI-F General Council rejected the mine and mineral bills of both K-P and Balochistan. "Some of our members in Balochistan supported the bill. Explanation has been sought from them. If the explanation is not satisfactory, their membership will be suspended," he said. On the occasion, he announced plans for large public marches in favour of Palestinian people. "The people of Pakistan will raise their voice in favour of Palestine and will also participate in financial jihad," he said. Responding to a question, Fazl said that he had no intention of forming a formal opposition alliance, but added that mutual contacts would be maintained to resolve problems of the masses. He also said that at present, the opposition parties were not ready to form a big alliance.
Express Tribune
12-04-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Minerals Bill to be passed 'after approval from Imran'
Provincial Food Minister Zahir Shah Toru on Saturday said the Mines and Mineral Bill will be passed after it is approved by Imran Khan. He said terrorism was on the rise in the province but the central government had left the province alone in this war and the province was fighting terrorism and other problems with its own resources. Speaking at the 'Meet the Press' programme at the Mardan Press Club, he said that the province was currently facing the worst terrorism and that the police and forces were fighting the terrorists with their lives but a lack of resources was a major obstacle in their way. He added that they were not getting the facilities that should be provided by the federation. He said that the Mines and Minerals Bill will be passed with the approval of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, adding that there was no provision regarding minerals that the federation could use the powers of the province. He argued that the PTI was the largest party of the country. Toru further said that there were definitely differences of opinion in the party but that there was no grouping of any kind, adding that the centre was not giving the province resources and rights and the funds of Rs110 billion allocated for the merged districts had not yet been provided. He added that if this continued, the situation could become more serious. Toru said that after the February 8 general elections, two important responsibilities, improving governance and protecting democratic freedoms, had come on the shoulders of the PTI and that, despite the worst conditions, the PTI had played an exemplary role on both fronts. He added that until the supremacy of the Constitution and law was established in the country, development was not possible. He also said that the PTI was fighting for the restoration of constitutional and legal rule under the leadership of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur. He termed the Chief Minister's recent visit to Mardan as successful. The CM had announced development projects worth billions during his visit to Mardan, including more than Rs6 billion for the construction of protective embankments around Kalpani, a cultural hall and a science museum, and also released funds for projects abandoned by previous governments.
