DERA ISMAIL KHAN
An All Parties Conference (APC) called by Awami National Party (ANP) strongly rejected the recently proposed ‘Mines and Minerals Bill-2025’ terming it attack on provincial rights and the 18th Constitutional Amendment.
The APC presided over by ANP District President Taimur Khan Marwat which brought together a wide representation from various political parties, legal fraternity, and civil society, including Shaukat Bettani, Abdur Rahim Bettani, Ghadanfar Abbas, Pir Nomanuddin Shah and others.
The participants included officials and members of ‘Malgari Wakilan’, district presidents and general secretaries from multiple parties, High Court representatives, and youth leaders.
The conference focused on the controversial bill presented by the provincial government in the assembly on May 10 which was rejected by all the participating parties unanimously, voicing serious concerns over federal overreach into provincial resources.
Speakers argued that under the 18th Amendment, the ownership and control of natural resources rest solely with the province and its people, and any federal interference in this regard is unconstitutional.
The proposed bill, they said, would not only provoke federal-provincial conflict but also deprive local communities, workers, and those associated with the mining sector of their rightful share.
The participants warned that if the bill is not withdrawn, a province-wide constitutional and legal movement would be launched to safeguard local rights.
In addition to opposing the bill, the APC called for immediate rejection of the bill by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly.
It also demanded recognition of the rights of locals in Darazinda regarding oil and gas production. Furthermore, the APC demanded establishment of a Geology Department at Gomal University in Dera Ismail Khan to promote local expertise in the field.
The conference concluded with a unified pledge to resist any move that undermines the autonomy and resource rights of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
